Mayor exposes huge problem with councils cancelling Australia Day citizenship ceremonies - after 81 opted out
- Dutton would mandate ceremonies on Australia Day
- Mayor calls out 'woke' councils who scrapped them
- READ MORE: Anti-Australia Day activist is shut down after demonstrators are urged to carry out disturbing act
A western Sydney mayor has called out 'woke' councils across the country who are opting not to hold their citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
It comes as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced he would reinstate a requirement for councils to hold their ceremonies on January 26.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a policy change in 2022 which allowed councils to hold the ceremonies up to three days before or after the national holiday.
Since then, four councils out of 537 opted out of ceremonies on Australia Day in 2023, and then 81 councils in 2024.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone believes the councils abandoning the day have 'obviously got an agenda'.
'I think that many councils take advantage of the current system, they're a little bit woke in my view compared to our council, and they try and find an excuse to not hold it,' Mr Carbone told Sky News Australia.
'And I think that's a real shame. I agree in theory that it should be done on Australia Day.
'It's not just citizenship, it's also the awards ceremony.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a policy change in 2022 which allowed councils to hold the ceremonies on other days
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone believes the councils abandoning the day have 'obviously got an agenda'
Mr Carbone won't have to change anything if Dutton comes to power, because his council already holds its citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
He said he agreed in principle with Dutton's policy.
'He's trying to instill pride, and actually trying to value the importance of the day, by having it on Australia Day.
'I think we all recognise and accept that it would be beautiful to have every single one of those ceremonies on that one day, which is a very important day to us all.'
He said some councils may face staff shortages and incur higher costs to hold the ceremony on the day itself, but insisted they should 'wear' the cost.
Blacktown councillor Allan Green told Daily Mail Australia that holding the ceremonies on January 26 was the 'best way to celebrate our national day'.
'It's important for new citizens to adopt our key values and to feel the national pride associated with Australia Day,' Mr Green said.
'Also there always is an Indigenous component to the ceremony.'
Four councils out of 537 opted out of ceremonies on Australia Day in 2023, and then 81 councils in 2024
He said Blacktown City Council has always held its ceremonies on Australia Day.
'Councils that do not hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day are showing a lack of respect for the day.
'Those councils are being disloyal to our national identity. It's an offensive and disgraceful act.'
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has avoided a debate with Dutton on the issue, only saying on Tuesday that his local council in Marrickville holds events on Australia Day.
'I will be attending the national Australia Day commemorations [in Canberra] as I have done every year in which I have been Labor leader,' Mr Albanese said.
'I hope that Peter Dutton this year makes a choice to join the national Australia Day celebrations in Canberra. That is what I did as the opposition leader.'
