Revealed: Sunshine Coast and Noosa mayor contenders share Australia Day views
From sitting on the fence to revealing patriotic tattoos, mayoral candidates for Sunshine Coast and Noosa have shared what Australia Day means to them. Read what they had to say.
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From sitting on the fence to revealing patriotic tattoos, mayoral candidates for Sunshine Coast and Noosa have shared what Australia Day means to them.
Australia Day has become a hot topic after the Sunshine Coast Council opted to replace its annual awards ceremony with the Biosphere Community Awards, to be held in June.
The rebadging of the community awards ceremony on the Sunshine Coast drew a swift reaction from elected representatives including Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and Maroochydore MP Fiona Simpson.
In the lead-up to the local government election set to be held in March, the Sunshine Coast Daily canvassed the mayoral candidates for Sunshine Coast and Noosa to see what they had to say about Australia Day.
Sunshine Coast mayoral contenders
Ashley Robinson
What is your stance on Australian Day?
January 26 has been the official national day for Australia since 1994. The date historical refers to white settlement and as such has become a divisive issue that is not helpful to national unity.
Designation of that day is a decision of the Australian Government acting on behalf of the Australian people.
Until the Federal Government decides what it wants to do, that is probably a question for ratepayers.
What I will say is it should not continue to be a cause for argument and that any public debate should be respectful of all views.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
I am not a fan of the way this Sunshine Coast Council changed its Australia Day Awards to the Biosphere Awards without consultation with residents.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
As long as the Federal Government determines that January 26 is the national day for Australia, as mayor I would continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on that day.
Cr Jason O’Pray
What is your stance on Australia Day?
I’ve always been a strong supporter of Australia Day and people celebrating Australia Day and taking the holiday, as the country always has for many decades.
I’ve even got the tattoo, so I’m very committed to Australia Day and all that it means.
In the same breath, I now have a strong understanding that it’s not keeping everybody happy and it’s up to the bigger powers of the Federal Government to make some very difficult decisions in regards to this.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
I know that councils across Australia are making changes when it comes to Australia Day events. We’re making some very slight changes in regard to our community awards.
But look, generally speaking, I think most of the country celebrate Australia on Australia Day and that’s where I’m at with it. It’s becoming a very sensitive issue.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
The Sunshine Coast will continue to recognise our citizenship ceremonies and council will continue to fund the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.
It’s our biggest event of the year for Australia Day.
An Australia Day citizenship ceremony is taking place this Friday and I will be in attendance, we’re expecting around 600 odd people.
Rosanna Natoli
What is your stance on Australia Day?
We need to have a day where Australians can celebrate the true spirit of our great nation. We should all take immense pride in where we live, and I am listening to my community on how I can best represent and serve the people of the Sunshine Coast in this regard.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
The fact Council changed these beloved awards and renamed them without community consultation is what is most shocking.
The ‘Biosphere Community Awards’ don’t have any meaning for our community members. Locals tell me they are tired of being told what to do and what will happen, without being involved in the process.
I take a consultative approach to leadership and believe the community should ultimately guide the direction of any future events.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
Yes and I will be attending citizenship ceremonies this year.
Min Swan
What is your stance on Australia Day?
As a mayoral candidate committed to building a region where we all belong, I wish Australia Day could be celebrated as a unifying day where we remember all of our history and can celebrate what unites us all as Australians. I believe the day can be equally seen as a chance to reflect and have tough conversations and also celebrate being Australian.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
Yes, I believe creating events that gives us a chance to come together is important for a sense of community.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
I am a supporter of the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies remaining as one of the date options throughout the year for new locals to celebrate their choice to be proudly Australian. There are other date options throughout the year for those that don’t wish to make this commitment on January 26.
Michael Burgess
What is your stance on Australia Day?
Australia Day should be celebrated with the spirit of Australia, fair dealing, and generosity, that is more important than what day it is held.
The quality of a society is not judged on how we treat the most of us but on how the most of us treat those few who would like us to hear their point of view.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
As mayor, I would hold events on Australia Day or any day new citizens would like them held. I am sure the council can fit in with the community and not the other way around.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
I support holding citizenship ceremonies on any day the new citizens want them held including January 26.
Wayne Parcell PSM
What is your stance on Australia Day?
It would be our intention to acknowledge Australia Day consistent with the Australian Government’s position that Australia Day is our national day, until there has been a process of meaningful engagement with the community about how best to acknowledge the Australia Day Awards and The Sunshine Coast Biosphere - Community Awards.
We believe the community needs to engage in a meaningful and respectful dialogue about the future of activities on January 26 and a decision reached that is able to be respected by everyone.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
A decision about events on Australia Day in 2025 should be made after meaningful engagement with the community.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
The Australian Government provides the legal authority to local councils to conduct citizenship ceremonies - ceremonies for which the government provides authority to the council will be conducted accordingly.
Noosa mayoral contenders
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie
What is your stance on Australia Day?
Australia Day, January 26 is the date the First Fleet set ashore in Sydney Cove and my understanding is that it has been marked as such since the 1800s.
I respect that many enjoy the day as a public holiday to spend time with family, friends and loved ones.
It is also an opportunity for us to respect the diversity of backgrounds and views around what it means to be an Australian and what the date itself signifies.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
Noosa Council has been, and is supporting, service organisations like the Lions and Rotary hosting a community festival on Australia Day.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
Noosa Council is holding a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
It means a great deal to new Australians and is always a very emotional and joyous occasion.
Citizenship ceremonies are also regularly held throughout the year.
I personally support having citizenship ceremonies and any requests to either discontinue or to continue hosting citizenship ceremonies on January 26 ought to be considered carefully.
Nick Hluszko
What is your stance on Australia Day?
As a proud first-generation Australian, my personal view on Australia Day is shaped by a deep appreciation for our nation’s rich cultural tapestry.
For me, this day is a celebration of the vast diversity that defines us as a people—a mosaic of cultures, traditions, and histories, including those of our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Australia is a nation that has thrived on the harmonious coexistence of its inhabitants, each contributing to the unique blend that makes us who we are today. It’s a celebration of unity in diversity, acknowledging the myriad of backgrounds that have come together to create a truly multicultural society.
While recognising the importance of addressing historical injustices, I believe that dwelling solely on the past doesn’t allow us to fully embrace our potential as a united nation.
We should acknowledge and learn from past wrongs, but also look towards the future with a collective commitment to understanding and respecting one another.
Australia Day serves as a reminder that, together, we have the opportunity to evolve into a stronger and more unified country.
By fostering mutual respect and appreciation for our differences, we can pave the way for a harmonious coexistence that defines the essence of our national identity.
In essence, Australia Day is not just a commemoration of history; it is a celebration of our shared journey, a testament to the strength found in our diversity, and a call to continue building a more inclusive and united Australia for generations to come.
Would you support hosting an Australia Day event or reinstating an Australia Day event?
If I were elected and this is what the democratic majority of the electorate want, then I would support this.
Will you continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?
Yes - as above. If this is what the democratic majority desire I would support that.
John Morrall
Former Biggest Loser contestant turned Noosa gym owner and now challenger for mayor John Morrall declined to answer the questions put to him, but did issue the following statement:
“I feel this subject is very personal and at this stage I would like to keep it that way. When elected my option will be shared in a way that will bring us all together.”
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Originally published as Revealed: Sunshine Coast and Noosa mayor contenders share Australia Day views
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