Councils lobby for Australia Day move

THE nation’s councils are set to lobby the Federal Government to change the date of Australia Day after Hobart City Council’s motion was passed by two votes at the Australian Local Government Association’s national general assembly.

In Canberra yesterday, the council’s motion, “that the National General Assembly encourage Australian councils to consider efforts they could take to lobby the Federal Government to change the date of recognition of Australia Day” was carried by the representative of the councils 64-62.

The narrow vote came after a mammoth debate on the motion, which originated from a Hobart meeting in April, and two counts of the vote.

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey, who travelled to Canberra to submit the motion, said she was thrilled. But an amendment to also lobby the Federal Government to consider the date of Federation – January 1 – as the date of Australia Day was voted down.

Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said the councils should focus instead on improving local services for its residents.

“While local government has an important voice, it is regrettable that they seem more focused on this political correctness crusade than doing their actual jobs and improving local services for local residents,” Senator Abetz said.

“Australia Day is about bringing together all Australians from all walks of life to reflect on our history and look to the future with optimism which is why Australians, including many indigenous Australians, support celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January. I am pleased that the Prime Minister has already made the Government’s position clear that there will be no change to the date on which we celebrate Australia Day.”