Melbourne’s Australia Day parade cancelled again

The Andrews government has been accused of making a political decision on Melbourne’s Australia Day parade, which has been dumped again.

The Victorian government has cancelled Melbourne’s Australia Day parade for a second year in a row.

The move has been met with anger, with critics saying it could risk the security of future events and jeopardise the state’s title of event capital of the world.

While the parade’s cancellation is not Covid-19 related, the state government has strenuously denied it is linked to a growing movement to boycott Australia Day on January 26.

Moves to change the date of Australia Day have intensified in recent years with debate raging over the appropriateness of celebrating the date that the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove.

Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The parade won’t go ahead in 2022. Picture: Nicole Cleary

The Sunday Herald Sun understands the decision not to proceed with the parade was off the back of overwhelming support from stakeholders and attendees of last year’s events.

A government spokeswoman said the program for Australia Day 2022 will provide a “full range of inclusive and accessible events for the Victorian community”.

Those events are not yet confirmed, but are expected to be announced in the coming days.

“The Australia Day parade won’t be part of the 2022 festival,” she said.

Institute of Public Affairs director of communications Evan Mulholland said the cancellation of a Covid-safe outdoor parade had proved to be a “political decision”.

“Cancelling Australia Day due to the pandemic for a second year running sends a message that a weak government is willing to sacrifice our cherished freedoms to the virus,” Mr Mulholland said.

“January 26 marks the foundation of modern Australia, and the freedoms that go with it. Modern Australia is defined by freedoms which are enjoyed by all Australians. This is something that should be celebrated, not denigrated.

An Invasion Day Rally through the streets of Melbourne. Picture: Alex Coppel

“Victorians are resilient people that want to celebrate what makes Australia great.”

Opposition spokesman for events and CBD recovery David Southwick said the loss of the parade throws other important events into doubt, including the upcoming Moomba Festival.

“The cancellation of Melbourne’s iconic Australia Day parade is another blow to our reputation as the events capital of the nation,” Mr Southwick said.

“While the state government bends over backwards to bring tennis stars to the Australian Open, a family event celebrating our history and diversity has been put in the too-hard basket.

There are concerns about Melbourne’s reputation as a major events capital. Picture: Nicole Cleary

“Instead of cancelling the events that put smiles on faces, the Liberals and Nationals will deliver real support for our events sector so we can rebuild, recover and reclaim our place as the world’s most liveable city.”

A spokesman for the City of Melbourne said most Australia Day activities were organised by the state government.

Last year Lord Mayor Sally Capp defended her unannounced attendance at a “dawn service” that highlighted atrocities against Aboriginal people. She said January 26 was a “day of mourning”.

Some Victorian councils including Moreland, Yarra and Darebin have stopped referencing Australia Day which forced the federal government to strip the councils of their right to host citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Originally published as Melbourne’s Australia Day parade cancelled again