As Australia Day approaches the vexatious issue of citizenship ceremonies has raised its ugly head again.
One Melbourne council will not hold a citizenship ceremony on January 26, despite the former federal government forcing councils to continue with the events. The current government has gone radio silent on whether they will enforce the edict.
The Greens-led Merri-bek council, which takes in the suburbs of Brunswick, Coburg and Fawkner voted to accept a recommendation from its First Nations advisory committee to stop holding the ceremony on January 26.
Neighbouring councils of Darebin and Yarra were stripped of their rights to hold citizenship ceremonies in 2017 for similar stands.
Should the federal government force councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?