CITY of Gosnells has moved to keep its Australia Day celebrations on January 26.
The City is preparing a policy to re-affirm its commitment to “significant days of celebration”, which includes holding Australia Day on January 26.
Councillor Glenn Dewhurst proposed the amendment to the City’s history and heritage awards selection policy, which requested a commitment to days such as Australia Day, WA Day, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.
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READ NOWHe said the community wanted to see leadership in the wake of a number of local governments across Australia considering not celebrating Australia Day on January 26.
“The community have told me what is important to them and what they value and want to protect,” Cr Dewhurst said.
“They tell me they are sick of having people apologising on their behalf for them being Australians and they want their freedoms protected.
“This is coming from new and old Australians from many diverse cultures.
“I know we can’t do much as a local council but let’s have a go and protect the freedoms we all have celebrated and enjoyed as diverse Australians.”
Cr Dewhurst said he had spoken with Aboriginal friends who had not raised any issues with holding Australia Day on January 26.
Cr David Goode voted against the motion, but said it was because he believed the policy change was unnecessary.
“Australia Day is January 26th. I love Australia Day and I don’t want to change it one little bit,” he said.
“I did not think there was any need to change the policy because it was unnecessary; changing the policy doesn’t make it a law.”
The motion passed seven votes to two.
The decision came after City of South Perth last month resolved to celebrate Australia Day on January 26 each and every year every year and Town of Victoria Park reaffirmed its commitment to celebrating Australia Day every year on the date designated by the Federal Government.
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