- The city council had not previously formally declared its support for campaign
- Alderman agreed to formally state Hobart’s support at Monday night meeting
- However, the city would not stop holding celebrations on Australia Day
Hobart City Council will officially back the bid to change the date of Australia Day from January 26.
Aldermen agreed for the council to formally declare its stance at Monday night’s council meeting, The Mercury reports.
The council had not previously formally stated its support for the date to be changed despite submitting motions to urge Tasmanian and Australian councils to lobby the Federal Government to move the celebration to a different date.
Hobart City Council will officially back the bid to change the date of Australia Day from January 26 – and could fund Invasion Day protests. Above, an Invasion Day protest march in Melbourne
However, the council will not stop holding its celebrations and citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day and could even fund Invasion Day protests, according to The Mercury.
‘Hobart Is joining a movement that is building,’ alderman Anna Reynolds told the local newspaper, adding the city would be on the right side of history.
But others said it was concerning that the council could fund protests – and claimed the Aboriginal community has bigger issues that need to be addressed.
Some said it was concerning that the council could fund protests – and claimed the Aboriginal community has bigger issues that need to be addressed. File photo
But Alderman Tanya Denison claimed that Hobart’s stance was having a ‘bob each way.’
It comes after the Turnbull government stripped two Melbourne councils – Darebin and Yarra – of its right to host citizenship ceremonies after they decided to snub Australia Day in support of Indigenous people.
A third Melbourne council, Moreland, voted to abandon official Australia Day celebrations – but will retain a citizenship ceremony on the date.