Having Australia Day on January 26 is a hotly debated issue with several councils boycotting the day.
Radio host Tom Elliott tested the City of Yarra in Melbourne to see if they stood strong on their beliefs.
At 11.30am, the 3AW Drive host went to the main office of the City of Yarra council to see if he could pay his rates.
Tom Elliott (pictured) wanted to test how strongly City of Yarra council backed their anti-Australia Day sentiment after banning the national celebrations
‘I can assume is that they’re all hard at work inside these offices’: Tom Elliott even called the City of Yarra but was met with an automated message
‘The City of Yarra doesn’t believe in Australia Day so all I can assume is that they’re all hard at work inside these offices,’ he said in a 3AW video.
Mr Elliott knocked on the office door repeatedly, calling out and even attempting to ring an old door bell.
He tried to call the council but got an automated message explaining the council was closed.
Mr Elliott explained what happened on-air, saying if the City of Yarra doesn’t believe in the public holiday then its staff should be working.
He said: ‘If you want to say we can’t have Australia Day and make a big political statement about it, then have the guts to say ”we will not take the public holiday”.’
Last year a number of Melbourne councils announced they were scrapping traditional Australia Day celebrations.
Last year a number of Melbourne councils announced they were scrapping traditional Australia Day celebrations because of debates over ‘Invasion Day’
Many of the councils, including City of Yarra, Moreland City Council and Darebin Council, banned the day and moved celebrations to a different date
Many of the councils, including City of Yarra, Moreland City Council and Darebin Council, banned the day and moved celebrations to a different date after discussions around ‘Invasion Day’.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull previously said Australians should be proud to celebrate Australia Day, which has been a national public holiday since 1994.
‘They are seeking to take a day which unites Australia and turn it into one which divides us,’ he said.
Daily Mail Australia contacted City of Yarra for comment.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull previously said Australians should be proud to celebrate Australia Day, which has been a national public holiday since 1994