Australia Day ban: Melbourne council shifts national celebration
A Melbourne council has made history by
becoming the first in the nation to stop holding citizenship ceremonies
on Australia Day out of respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.
VIDEO
A
Melbourne Council will stop referring to January 26 as Australia Day
after a controversial motion was passed during a dramatic council
meeting.
Despite pressure from the federal government against such a move, all councillors voted unanimously.
All clauses passed unamended despite some fiery submissions from a few people in the audience who said the council hadn't surveyed the community widely enough.
Councillor Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei, who brought the motion forward, said it was an important move because the day was not inclusive."It's really an opportunity to engage with the community and to educate them on Indigenous affairs," she told the meeting.
Councillors said January 26 was the wrong day for a celebration and a party.
-Dick Smith's million dollar plan to cull Australian immigrants
-Critics slam the rise of the Western tourists 'beg-packing' in South East Asia
The council's move has outraged Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke, who has fired off a letter to councils across the country warning they could be banned from hosting any more citizenship ceremonies if they stop holding them on Australia Day.
"Local councils are now on notice that if they politicise Australian citizenship, the government will see it as a breach of the (Australian Citizenship Ceremonies) code and take the appropriate action," he said.
======================
Councillor Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei
Contact Cr Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei
Cr Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei can be contacted on 9205 5055 or 0427 150 407 or at Milin.Chenyimei@yarracity.vic.gov.au or all 3 Melba Councillors: Melbawardcouncillors@yarracity.vic.gov.auCr Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei was elected in October 2016 and is a representative of the Melba ward.
Cr Chen Yi Mei is a young professional, currently employed as a Judicial Associate at the County Court of Victoria. She has Bachelor degrees in Laws and Arts and was admitted to the legal profession in 2014.
Passionate about social justice
Cr Chen Yi Mei is passionate about social justice and is a member of the Australian Labor Party. She believes a strong community is one where everyone is made to feel like they belong. Her keen interest in planning and environment law encouraged her to run for council and she is proud to represent the Melba Ward as a local Richmond resident.===================
Australia Day is the official National Day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip. In present-day Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new members of the Australian community.[1]
The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved over time. Unofficially, or historically, the date has also been variously named "Anniversary Day", "Foundation Day", and "ANA Day".[2] 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (then known as New Holland).[3] Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818.[4] On New Year's Day 1901, the British colonies of Australia formed a Federation, marking the birth of modern Australia. A national day of unity and celebration was looked for. It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories had adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public holiday on that day by all states and territories.[5]
In contemporary Australia, the holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and addresses from the Governor-General and the Prime Minister. It is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, unless it falls on a weekend in which case the following Monday becomes a public holiday instead. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.[4]
Some Indigenous Australian events are now included. However, since at least 1938[6] Australia Day has also been marked by various groups including Indigenous Australians and people sympathetic to their cause mourning what they see as the invasion of their land by Europeans, and protesting its celebration as a national holiday. These groups sometimes refer to 26 January as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day" and advocate that the date should be changed.[7][8]