Australia Day

The majority voted in favour of a motion that condemns the City of Yarra Council's actions in respect to Australia Day. Motions like these don't have any legal force, but can be influential as they represent the will of the Senate.

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) condemns the move by the City of Yarra Council to change the way it marks Australia Day;

(b) endorses the remarks by the Prime Minister that this attack on Australia Day by the City of Yarra is a repudiation of the values of 'freedom, a fair go, mateship and diversity';

(c) stands resolute in its view that Australia Day is a day that all Australians come together as a nation, to celebrate the values that make Australia great and that make people proud of Australian citizenship;

(d) notes that all Australian states and territories have celebrated Australia Day on 26 January since 1935; and

(e) calls on the Australian Government to strip the City of Yarra Council of its authorisation to conduct citizenship ceremonies.