By Violet Li
As calls to change the date of Australia Day have gained increasing public attention in recent years, Star News spoke to Casey South candidates across six wards on their attitudes towards Australia Day celebrations at the council level.
In 2022, the Federal Government allowed councils to hold citizenship ceremonies within three days before or after Australia Day.
Casey Council had chosen to stick with its tradition of holding the Australia Day citizenship ceremony on 26 January, despite many councils pulling out after the policy change.
The endorsed City of Casey Reconciliation Action Plan in May this year states that the council will seek wider community feedback on holding the annual Australia Day citizenship ceremony on an alternative date(s) within the parameters of the Federal Government Guidelines.
Most candidates surveyed across Correa Ward, Cranbourne Gardens Ward, Kowan Ward, Quarters Ward, River Gum Ward, and Tooradin Ward have supported the citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
Kowan Ward candidate Shane Taylor said he saw no compelling reason to alter the date of this significant national citizenship ceremony.
“Australia Day, celebrated on 26 January, holds a deep historical and cultural significance for our nation. It’s a day that symbolizes unity and national pride, offering an opportunity for all Australians to come together and celebrate our shared values and achievements. For many new citizens, this day also marks a meaningful milestone as they are officially welcomed into the Australian community,” he said.
“Having spoken with a number of immigrants from diverse cultural backgrounds, I have found that they are eager to embrace Australian traditions and values.
“They view the citizenship ceremony on Australia Day as a powerful affirmation of their commitment to their new home.
“It’s a moment that signifies their acceptance into Australian society and their respect for everything that makes this country unique.”
Mr Taylor said he understood that there were differing opinions.
“I believe changing the date of the Australia Day citizenship ceremony could potentially create more division rather than fostering unity,” he said.
“Our focus should be on celebrating what unites us as Australians, rather than what divides us.
“We must ensure that we can celebrate our nation without feeling as though we are offending other cultures or communities.”
Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Tamas Kapitany shared a similar attitude with Mr Taylor.
“I see no reason to change that date,” he said.
“It’s a tradition we have and value. Attempts to change that date only divide us and create potential conflict.”
Another Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Michelle Crowther said Australia Day had been a key topic in her conversations with locals throughout the election and she would bring more events on the day if elected.
“In 2024, there wasn’t an official City of Casey Australia Day event, so my family and I attended a community celebration at Arthur Wren Hall in Hampton Park. It was a wonderful occasion that brought together many different cultural and community groups,” she said.
“We celebrated Australia Day and reflected on how fortunate we are to live in a united and diverse country.
“If elected, I will advocate for bringing back Australia Day events in the City of Casey. These events offer a chance for our community to come together and celebrate the values that unite us.
“I understand that Australia Day can be challenging for some, so I believe the City of Casey could offer events that acknowledge our history while celebrating the best of Australia, giving everyone the freedom to participate in a way that feels meaningful to them.”
Kowan Ward candidate Jawad Erfani said if elected, he would not support any changes to the Australia Day citizenship ceremony or altering the significance of Australia Day and its celebration.
“I understand that there are differing views on this topic, but I personally support maintaining the current date for citizenship ceremonies and celebrating Australia Day as a national holiday,” he said.
“It holds great importance for many residents in the City of Casey, and I believe in respecting their views.”
Quarters Ward candidate David Rolfe said Australia Day celebrations and citizenship ceremonies won’t change on his watch.
“The day celebrates being Australian, regardless of heritage and welcomes migrants to our big Aussie family,” he said.
River Gum Ward candidate Wayne Smith said he was absolutely in favour of an Australia Day Citizenship.
“I attended every year for nearly 25 years and MC’d at various Aust Day events for almost as long,” he said.
Quarters Ward candidate Aftab Hussain said he supported the citizenship ceremony on Australia Day.
“Our community has expressed their desire to celebrate Australia Day and I am committed to celebrating it,” he said.
Correa Ward candidate Gary Rowe said: “We as Australians can’t continue to give up on our traditions and celebrations. We have no good reason to.”
River Gum Ward candidate Damien Rosario said he would keep the ceremony and tradition of awarding citizenships on Australia Day.
“Australia Day should be a time to unite every one of all backgrounds together to celebrate what’s good about modern Australia. We have progressed a long way as a nation since our founding and though we cannot change the past, we can learn from our history and stand united for a brighter future together,“ he said.
Cranbourne Gardens Ward candidate Mary Beth Melton and Tooradin Ward candidates Anthony Tassone and Jennifer Dizon believed that it was not an issue that should be focused on at the council level, but they supported the celebration on the day.
Ms Melton said the local council needed to focus primarily on local issues.
“As long as Australia Day remains on the 26th, I support citizenship ceremonies on the day to signify pride in our national identity, emphasise our civic responsibilities and promote community celebration,” she said.
“I do not believe our local councils should be weighing in on the day we celebrate Australia Day at all, but personally, I will celebrate on the 26th as I always have.
“I am absolutely committed to doing everything I can to ensure that our local council remains focused on local issues and is only involved in affairs that impact our local community as much as possible.
“I believe changing the date of when we celebrate Australia day is a Federal issue and I believe Victorian councils are too politicised. Community members I have spoken to are crying out for local councils to stay focused on local issues. This is what I intend to do if elected.”
Mr Tassone said it was not within the remit of local government to debate what day the national day should be.
“That is a matter for other levels of government. Whenever our National Day is declared, and it is currently the 26th of January, I strongly believe that local councils should fully support it as a day of community celebration recognising how great our country is made all the stronger by our diversity and multiculturalism,” he said.
“Citizenship ceremonies are a tremendous honour for not only the recipients of Australian citizenship but for local councils to host.
“Whilst I have been doorknocking, I have met many residents who have become Australian citizens on Australia Day, and they feel great pride and gratitude. It truly is very special.
“Many Australian service men and women, and the families that have lost a loved one, have paid the ultimate price defending our country and interests under our nation’s flag so we can have the freedoms we enjoy. This should never be taken for granted.”
Ms Dizon said: “I believe that changing the date of Australia Day is a Federal Government issue, and it’s important for the Casey City Council to remain focused on the issues that directly impact our local communities. Councils should move away from non-local issues and focus on essential local matters. If elected, this will be my utmost priority.
“Nonetheless, I strongly support maintaining the current date for the citizenship ceremonies and celebrating Australia Day on 26 January. It is a day of significance for many Australians, and I see no reason to abandon this tradition.“
River Gum Ward candidate Garry Page has been the only responding candidate saying the starting point for discussion should be what event was to be celebrated as Australia Day.
“Wikipedia has the first designated ’Australia Day’ as Friday 30 July 1915. The current date is not a celebration of Captain Cook’s discovery of Australia, or Federation when the original colonies joined together to form the Australian nation. What is the point of celebrating the wrong date?” he said.
“The starting point for discussion should be what event is to be celebrated as ’Australia Day’.
“Why should we celebrate ’Sydney Day’ as ’Australia Day’?
“If Australia becomes a republic would there be a new date for ’Australia Day’? The current date makes as much sense as having a Queen’s Birthday celebration when we have King Charles. Let alone the fact that the Queen’s Birthday public holiday was never held on the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.”
Kowan Ward candidate Kasuni Mendis said: “Australia is a country full of a diverse and broad range of people who have different views and opinions on Australia Day. For some, it is a day of pain and hurt as a result of past and present transgressions, for some, it is a day of celebration for all that our country is.
“I believe we need to find a solution for this issue that allows for both perspectives.
“I believe we absolutely should be celebrating the best of what this great nation has to offer. Changing the date of the public holiday, however, is a Federal Government issue.“
Tooradin Ward candidate Andrew Gai said If elected, one of the biggest shifts in the next council’s decision-making would be to consult prior to making a final decision on big issues such as Australia Day.
“So I would like to hear what Casey residents think in regards to holding a Citizenship Ceremony on Australia Day 26 January and I will respect the outcome of such consultation,“ he said.
“I personally would like to see Australia Day move to a Day that all Australians, particularly our First Nations people can celebrate.“
