Oz Day code cops retort

SCOTT Morrison may be denied his wish for an end to board shorts and thongs at citizenship ceremonies because councils say being dressed that way can be “entirely appropriate”.

Many are upset at being told by the Federal Government they must hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, arguing it to be too hot and costly, as well as ignorant of those people who consider January 26 “a day of mourning”.

Launceston City Council has confirmed it will hold its Australia Day celebrations across two days starting next year, after the Federal Government forced the council to backflip on its vote made only on Thursday to change the date of its Australia Day celebrations and ceremonies.

Hobart’s councils hold citizenship events on Australia Day, although for the past two years Hobart City Council has been at the forefront of a push for the date to be changed.

News Corp can reveal the body which represents 537 local councils wrote to Citizenship Minister David Coleman in February this year saying “a number of councils hold their citizenship events on beaches, reflecting the ideal Australian lifestyle. Subject to council deliberations, board shorts and thongs may consequently be entirely appropriate”.

In the letter, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) president Mayor David O’Loughlin also said “it appears the very small number of councils that have moved their Australia Day celebrations and associated ceremonies away from 26 January are, in the spirit of Australian democracy, reflecting the desire of their communities.

“It may be uncomfortable to acknowledge the fact that some Australians identify 26 January as a day of mourning, but this should not stop councils from trying to find a way of accommodating legitimate community views whilst celebrating everything that is great about our wonderful country,” Mr O’Loughlin said.

In February correspondence, the LGNSW said some councils “in consultation with their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and wider communities, have determined to hold respectful and meaningful citizenship ceremonies on days other than Australia Day”.

Under a revised Australia Day citizenship ceremonies code released by Mr Coleman last week, large and mediumsized councils will be stripped of the right to hold ceremonies if ceremonies do not have a dress code and are not run on the day itself.

David Coleman