The Federal Government’s announcement yesterday that it will force councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, has been denounced by Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) as heavy-handed and odd.
ALGA President, Mayor David O’Loughlin, said that some councils will have valid concerns about the proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code.
He said that most councils hold more than one citizenship ceremony a year, some as often as monthly.
“The Federal Government’s strong focus on drawing a link between Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies is bizarre.
“If the Federal Government had bothered to consult with us in the development of this policy, they would have heard that in some locations, it’s simply too hot for councils to hold ceremonies during the day, so they do it the evening before, just as the Federal Government does with its Australian of the Year Ceremony.
“Other councils combine their citizenship ceremonies with their local Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards which are often held in the week before Australia Day, just as many of the State and Territory Governor’s do with their Australia Day Awards ceremonies.
“It would make more sense for the Federal Government to insist on local, state and their own level of government holding events to celebrate Australia Day Honours and Citizens of the Year on Australia Day, rather than only insisting on local councils holding a citizenship ceremony on the 26th of January, especially given Citizenship Day is the 17th of September, months after Australia Day.
“We do acknowledge that a small number of councils are in discussions with their communities about whether the 26th of January is the appropriate day to celebrate Australia Day.
“However, councils cannot move Australia Day – this is ultimately up to the Federal Government – but it is our job to be responsive to our communities, including to their calls for prudence and advocacy.”
