Federal Minister for Immigration, Alex Hawke, has warned councils against refusing to hold Australia Day celebrations, The Australian reports.
Minister Hawke said the national day should not be defined by “past mistakes” and councils should not be using the day to launch protests.
“It is… very sad to see some councils continue to politicise Australia Day this year, in a range of increasingly ridiculous ways, totally out of step with an overwhelming majority of people and the Australian community generally,” Minister Hawke told the newspaper.
“Councils should stick to their own role and not waste ratepayers’ time or money entertaining extreme views.”
READ MORE: ‘Un-Australian’: Mayor Steve Christou blasts councils over Australia Day festivities.
A number of Councils across Australia have cancelled or modified their Australia Day events this year.
Melbourne’s Australia Day parade was cancelled for the second consecutive year, whilst other events, such as one held in Byron Bay, have become online events due to COVID-19.
In response, Mr Hawke said the federal government rejected “disingenuous and ahistorical views from fringe councillors designed to undermine what is in reality the luckiest country on earth.”
Source: The Australian.
