Melbourne council seeks to restore Australia Day on January 26
Councillor Philip Le Liu will propose restoring official Australia Day celebrations on January 26 at Tuesday's council meeting.
Melbourne City Council is preparing for another Australia Day debate. Councillor Philip Le Liu plans to move a motion calling for official celebrations on January 26.
His motion states that changing the date is a federal government matter, not a council decision. Melbourne has not formally recognised Australia Day since 2022.
The date has caused ongoing debate. Some see January 26 as marking the First Fleet's 1788 arrival.
Others see it as the start of Indigenous colonial suffering. Melbourne has led the Australia Day debate.
Large Invasion Day protests happen every year. Kingston Council, in Melbourne's southeast, initially planned to end Australia Day citizenship ceremonies in 2023 but reversed this decision earlier this year.
If passed, Le Liu's motion would direct the council to develop Australia Day activities, promotions and celebrations, and explore bringing back the Australia Day Parade.
- January 26
- Date in question
- 1788
- First Fleet arrival
- 2022
- Last formal recognition
- Tuesday
- Council meeting
Why it mattersAustralia Day remains deeply divisive in Australian cities. How councils mark January 26 signals where communities stand on the date's meaning.
AustraliaMelbourne's decision will likely influence other Victorian councils and continue the national conversation about whether Australia Day on January 26 can be celebrated in a way that respects Indigenous perspectives.
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