Fremantle council holds citizenship ceremony
The WA council was blocked by Peter Dutton when it tried to move its Australia Day citizenship ceremony to January 28.
The West Australian council that was blocked by Immigration minister Peter Dutton when it tried to move its Australia Day citizenship ceremony to January 28 has presided over the naturalisation of 34 men and women today.
Fremantle Council mayor Brad Pettit told reporters at the council chambers this morning that the furore over the council’s decision to cancel Australia Day fireworks and instead hold a One Day concert on January 28 had been “more divisive than we hoped”.
He said he felt he should have done more to consult local businesses leaders, who have strongly objected to the council’s alternate plan.
While Mr Pettit had wanted the citizenship ceremony to be held at the outdoors One Day event on Saturday “infront of 10,000 people”, he presided over today’s formal citizenship ceremony in the council building.
Aboriginal elder Len Collard performed a welcome to country and played the didgeridoo.
The council said it took heed of elders before coming up with the idea of the One Day event, which will include music by local band the John Butler Trio.
The council has argued One Day is a more inclusive event that takes into account the sensitivities of Aboriginal people for whom the day symbolises invasion and dispossession.
Local businesses have paid for their own fireworks in Fremantle this evening.
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