턴불 총리는 "야라 카운슬의 결정은 오스트레일리아 데이에 대한 공격이며 도를 넘어선 행위"라고 맹비난했다.
그는 "호주 국민의 단합을 위한 날을 분열의 날로 정치화하고 있다"고 지적했다.
턴불 총리는 "물론 원주민 출신 호주인들에게 논란이 될 수 있을지언정 대다수의 호주인들에게 오스트레일리아 데이는 자유, 공정함, 동료애, 다양성을 공유하고 축하하는 날이며 우리 모두가 준수해야 할 날이라는 사회적 공감대가 형성돼 있다"고 강조했다.
턴불 총리는 "오스트레일리아 데이와 그 역사는 호주인 절대다수가 최고의 국경일로 경축하고 준수해야 하는 것으로 믿고 있다"고 덧붙였다.
'Local speaks at Yarra council meeting
RELATED READING
Don't attack Australia Day, government tells local councils
The federal government has written to local councils telling them to abide by rules around citizenship ceremonies.
Councillor Mi-Lin Chen Yi Mei, who brought the motion forward, said it was an important move because the day was not inclusive.
"It's really an opportunity to engage with the community and to educate them on Indigenous affairs," she told the meeting.
However, the federal government confirmed on Wednesday that it had stripped the council of its right to hold citizenship ceremonies under the Australian Citizenship Act.
The PM said earlier today, "Any local council that breaches its duties under the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code can have its authorisation to conduct citizenship ceremonies revoked".
The council was also warned of this possibility by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Alex Hawke, before the vote took place on Tuesday.
Prospective citizens will instead be sent to nearby councils that still hold ceremonies.
With AAP
