Melbourne councillors vote to review January 26 celebrations ahead of Australia Day 2023

Melbourne City Council could dump Australia Day celebrations as part of its journey to reconciliation. 

Councillors on Monday night voted in favour of a motion put forward by Lord Mayor Sally Capp seeking to review the city’s approach to January 26.

“I recognise that for many people celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January is important, but there is a changing sentiment around celebrating what it means to be Australian on that day,” Cr Capp told ABC Melbourne radio.

“I know from discussions with Traditional Owners that many of them see this as a really important aspect of how we can better respect and reflect their ancient culture and history.”

The review would investigate the City of Melbourne’s approach to events, communications and community management, while also identifying alternative options for the date.

Cr Capp said the move was to ensure the city was prepared for January 26, 2023 no matter the outcome of the review.

The day’s status as a national public holiday would remain the jurisdiction of the federal government.

Celebrated by different states on different days for decades, Australia Day officially became a national holiday in 1994.(ABC News: Margaret Burin)

Deputy Lord Mayor Nicolas Reece said suggestions the council shouldn’t be part of the debate surrounding the national day was “unconscionable” and “nonsensical”.

“We, as a council, are an active participant in the day,” Cr Reece said.

“From the Aboriginal mourning service to the citizenship ceremony to the fireworks spectacular — how can we not take an interest on that day given the level of commitment we have in it.”

All but two councillors voted in favour of the motion, with Jason Chang abstaining and Roshena Campbell absent from the meeting.

“I understand the sentiment and respect views on this, but I think our job is to focus on the city of Melbourne right now,” Cr Chang said.

“We are all struggling.”

First Peoples’ Assembly co-chair and Taungurung man Marcus Stewart, who has been working to progress state treaty talks in Victoria, said the City of Melbourne was showing leadership by holding a “mature conversation” about the issue.

“On how we can bring all Australians together and celebrate a day that’s meaningful, that’s purposeful, and that unites us and doesn’t divide us,” he said.

“It’s easy to criticise that it’s a small step, it’s not going to do anything — small things matter and it’s about momentum and moving forward.

“Because what we want is a Victoria that our kids and our grandkids feel a sense of connection to and a sense of belonging to, because we have the oldest living culture in the world and it’s something that should unite us and we can all celebrate.”

Melbourne’s Yarra City and Darebin councils are banned from organising citizenship ceremonies by the federal government after refusing to hold them on January 26.

It is unclear whether Melbourne City Council’s review will include whether to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

While Australia Day has been celebrated since the early 20th century, it was not until 1994 that January 26 became a national public holiday.

Council staff will prepare a report to be tabled and debated at a council meeting on September 6.

AAP/ABC

Posted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 26 Jul 2022 at 11:37pm, updated 50m ago50 minutes agoWed 27 Jul 2022 at 12:36am