A move to shift the date of Australia Day from January 26 has been sidestepped by the City of Mandurah and the Shire of Murray after local councils from around the country agreed to lobby the Commonwealth for the change.
A conference of 560 councils meeting in Canberra voted narrowly in favour of the switch.
The push for change was led by Hobart City Lord Mayor Sue Hickey who said Australia Day shouldn’t be on a date that many indigenous people regard as “Invasion Day” because it marks the arrival of the first fleet from England in 1788.
A spokeswoman for the City of Mandurah said the council had not sent delegates to the meeting, so didn’t vote for or against the plan, but the date of Australia Day was accepted in Mandurah.
“While the council doesn’t have a formal position on changing the date of Australia Day, our local event, and the date of that event, is widely accepted in our community,” she said.
“Mandurah’s Australia Day event is very successful and inclusive, also among our local Aboriginal community, and the event includes a Welcome to Country component.
“Harry Nannup was also named a Freeman of the City a few years ago.”
A Shire of Murray spokeswoman said Shire President Maree Reid and chief executive Dean Unsworth had represented the council.
“Cr Reid and Mr Unsworth abstained from the vote as the shire has not consulted with our community on the issue,” she said.
Opposition to the plan was mounted by Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.
“How ridiculous,” he told 3AW radio on Wednesday.
“It’s a wonderful celebration of our nation and I think these sorts of calls are just a waste of time.”
The City of Fremantle became embroiled in controversy when it moved some of its Australia Day events to January 28, citing cultural sensitivities.