Citizenship ceremonies can now happen 'around' Australia Day

Local councils will no longer be forced to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, after Federal Labor scrapped a decision by the former Coalition government. Some Melbourne councils had resolved not to hold the ceremonies on Australia Day, out of respect for Indigenous communities. Under the changes, councils will be able to hold the ceremonies in a six-day window around January 26th, though the government says it still has a strong expectation they will be held on the public holiday.

An Australian citizenship recipient holds his certificate during a citizenship ceremony Source: AAP