A protester holds the Aboriginal flag in an Invasion Day Rally at Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, January 26, 2024. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING
The annual debate surrounding Australia Day is resurfacing in Perth as local councils grapple with when to hold their celebrations. While the City of Fremantle has chosen to move its citizenship ceremonies away from the traditional date of January 26, other councils, including the City of Perth, Mandurah, Joondalup, and Wanneroo, remain committed to hosting events on that day.
Fremantle will kick off its citizenship ceremonies with the first one scheduled for January 29. Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver expressed pride in the city’s decision, emphasizing a commitment to reconciliation and acknowledging the significance of January 26 as a day of mourning for many Indigenous Australians. “Our city has been leading the conversation on reconciliation for many years now,” Lawver stated. “We know there is strong support for reconciliation in our local community.”
The backdrop of this discussion includes changes made by the Federal Government prior to the failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum in 2022. The new legislation allows councils to conduct citizenship ceremonies three days before or after Australia Day. This shift has reignited conversations about the appropriateness of January 26 as a day of celebration, given its historical connotation as the date marking the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove, which some activists refer to as “Invasion Day.”
In contrast to Fremantle’s stance, Joondalup Mayor Daniel Kingston confirmed that his council would proceed with its celebrations on January 26. “Whilst the Federal Government decides that January 26 will continue to be the date for Australia Day, the city will hold the event on this day,” he said. Similar sentiments were echoed by Mandurah Mayor Amber Kearns, who expressed enthusiasm for recognizing local contributions through the Citizen of the Year awards and welcoming over 80 new Australians during their citizenship ceremony.
The City of Perth has announced its annual celebrations will also take place on January 26, featuring a 30-minute drone and fireworks display at 20:30. WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas remarked on the importance of this year’s Australia Day, particularly in light of recent national tragedies, including the Bondi massacres. “Coming together to celebrate our national day and all of the great things it means to be Australian has never been more important,” Zempilas noted. He criticized the Federal Government’s changes, arguing that Australia Day events should always occur on January 26 to foster unity rather than division.
Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman highlighted the government’s commitment to Australia Day, stating that they have allocated $10 million in financial support for a record number of events in 2026. “Australia Day is about the story of who we are as a nation and who we aspire to be,” Gorman remarked during a recent announcement.
As the debate continues, the contrasting approaches taken by local councils reflect a broader national conversation about identity, history, and reconciliation. The decisions made in the coming days will undoubtedly influence the community’s sentiments surrounding Australia Day, shaping how it is commemorated in the years to come.
