Change just beginning

Call for more action on Oz Day after RHH decision

MULTICULTURAL Council of Tasmania chief executive Lee Wilson says the organisation supports Hobart City Council’s decision to no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 from next year, but says a broader conversation is needed around the changing of Australia Day.

On Monday, the council voted in favour of the change after an amendment to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code was made which allowed ceremonies to be held three days prior or three days after Australia Day.

Before the change, council citizenship ceremonies could only be held on January 26.

Hobart council is not the first; Launceston and Glenorchy city councils have also made the change, the latter welcoming 50 migrants as new citizens in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Mr Wilson said the MCOT recognised the significance January 26 had for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“We support not just Hobart but other councils who have moved from January 26,” Mr Wilson said.

“We do support changing the date, we also recognise that change takes time and the multicultural council’s role is that we provide education to our communities.”

Mr Wilson said educating new citizens and migrants about the country’s history was important.

“I think education is the key to harmony and social cohesion,” Mr Wilson said.

“From what I see there’s a real appetite to learn … a lot of people from cultural backgrounds, they’re coming to us wanting to know about the true history of Tasmania.

“Conversations in the media are great because it opens up that conversation around truth-telling, and we welcome that.”

But he said a broader conversation around changing the date was needed.

“What we hear is anyone becoming a citizen, to celebrate on the national day is quite significant for them,” Mr Wilson said.

“What the conversation is, is the national day shouldn’t be on January 26.

“We need a national day but the recognition is that it’s celebrated on a day inclusive for all.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he respected the decision.

“What’s important to me is all Tasmanians acknowledge the hurt of the past, acknowledge the hurt of First Nation’s people nationwide, and of course of Tasmanian Aboriginal people,” Mr Rockliff said.

Mr Rockliff also believed a broader discussion was needed.

“We need to unify with purpose, and part of that is a national discussion on Australia Day,” he said.