One of the largest local governments in Western Australia has reversed a decision to ditch Australia Day celebrations following an outcry from locals.
The City of Rockingham Council, in Perths southwest, had announced in May last year that all celebrations relating to Australia Day would be held on the closest Saturday to January 26.
But the council has now backflipped following a community survey, with the results announced at a meeting on Tuesday night.
The survey found that 64 per cent of respondents wanted events associated with Australia Day to be held on its actual date of January 26.
Just two councillors out of 12 voted against reversing the decision, which was put forward by one-time Rockingham State Liberal candidate Peter Hudson.
Councillor Craig Buchanan, from the Legalise Cannabis WA party, and former Greens candidate Dawn Jecks, were against the move.
Mr Hudson claimed that of the 7 per cent of Indigenous respondents, the majority of had supported celebrating the national holiday on January 26.
He added the council had an obligation to act in the interests of its residents.
Several other councils around Australia have ditched the national day of celebration (pictured are Australia Day celebrators on Wave Break Island in the Gold Coast)
But we also have a moral duty as citizens of Australia, to act in our countrys national interest, he said on Tuesday night, The Sound Telegraph reported.
That means defending what we have when we must - if we dont stand up for what we believe in, nobody else will.
Fellow Rockingham councillor Mark Jones gave a list of the special days he said Aboriginal people already enjoyed.
So theres the anniversary of the national apology, weve got Harmony Week in March, national Sorry Day in May, national Reconciliation Week in June, weve got Mabo Day in June, the National NAIDOC week in July, national Aboriginal and Torres Childrens Day in August, and national Indigenous literary day in September, he said.
The City of Rockingham Council had announced in May last year that all celebrations relating to Australia Day would be held on the closest Saturday to January 26 (Rockingham is pictured)
So theres multiple days were trying to reconcile. I guess Im sorry that Australia Day is not one of those days for everyone, but as a city, were trying to celebrate the good things about Australia and unite our country.
Several other councils around Australia have ditched the national holiday in recent years following calls from Indigenous groups to have the date changed.
In late 2022 the Albanese government scrapped a rule that forced councils to hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies.