Bayside City Council is not proposing to change the date of Australia Day.
Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group has made a recommendation that Council write to the Federal Member for Goldstein to seek that the Federal Government consider moving the Australia Day public holiday to another date. Council is yet to consider the advisory group’s recommendation and will do so at its meeting on 19 September 2023.
Earlier this year, Bayside residents were asked “Should Council continue to hold events such as citizenship ceremonies on January 26 (Australia Day)” in Council’s 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey. Respondents in this representative survey were divided with 42% unsure; 37% supportive of events such as citizenship ceremonies continuing to be held on this public holiday, and 21% opposed to Council holding events on this date.
Reflecting community feedback, Bayside City Council is planning to continue holding citizenship ceremonies on the Australia Day public holiday. The ceremony includes a respectful acknowledgement of what 26 January means to many residents and for First Peoples.
Decisions regarding the date of Australia Day are the responsibility of the Federal Government.
