Australia Day: City of Bayswater becomes latest local government to change date of citizenship ceremony

The City of Bayswater has become the latest local government to push back against hosting its citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, with the mayor voting against her own motion to change the date.

The city’s decision comes after it consulted with its reconciliation advisory committee and the community on a proposal to host the citizenship ceremony three days after January 26.

Almost half of the 431 respondents to the community consultation wanted the city to “retain the status quo” and continue holding the citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.

City officers had recommended the citizenship ceremony stay on the Australia Day public holiday.

But at Tuesday night’s council meeting, after a long deliberation the council voted 6-4 in support of an amendment from mayor Filomena Piffaretti to hold its Australia Day citizenship ceremony and “associated event to celebrate migrants becoming Australians” within the three days after January 26.

But despite raising the amendment, bizarrely Ms Piffaretti did not support her own motion.

Cr Sally Palmer, Cr Nat Latter, Cr Dan Bull, Cr Lorna Clarke, Cr Giorgia Johnson and deputy mayor Elli Petersen-Pik voted in support, whilst Cr Assunta Meleca, Cr Steven Ostaszewskyj, Cr Josh Eveson and Ms Piffaretti voted against it.

“I foreshadowed an alternative motion I felt considered feedback from the Reconciliation Advisory Committee,” Ms Piffaretti told PerthNow.

“Personally, I felt the results of the survey did not indicate overwhelming support for a change.

“The results were roughly 50-50.

“So in good conscience, I could not vote to change the date of our citizenship ceremony until such time that the Federal Government addresses the issue.”

According to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code 2022, local governments are able to hold their citizenship ceremonies on January 26 or three days before or three days after.

“I wanted to hear from our local community first before making a decision,” Mis Piffaretti said at the council meeting.

Cr Eveson said he felt a “sense of responsibility” to support the continuation of hosting the citizenship ceremony on January 26.

“In my multicultural household, it’s an opportunity where we reflect, respect and celebrate what’s so great about being Australia,” he said.

“Australia Day brings civic pride to many, made clear by the volume of new Australians that want to become citizens on this date and celebrate this national day.

“Council’s responsibility is to listen to our community and make decisions we believe best bring us together, not push us further apart.”

Cr Petersen-Pik said changing the date was a “small step” in the city’s reconciliation journey.

“I’m aware that no matter what decision we will make tonight, there will be a large section in our community that might not be happy with it and I do find it quite unfortunate,” he said.

“I take into account not only the outcome of the consultation process ... but also rely on my knowledge and understanding of the terrible injustices that our Indigenous communities suffered since colonisation.

“I do not find it too hard to hold the ceremony and event on a different date. Everyone should feel respected and welcome ... it is a small step in our journey for reconciliation.”

At least a dozen other councils, including Mosman Park, Cambridge, Victoria Park and Fremantle, mark Australia Day on a different date in January.