Three in four people believe Australia Day should continue to be celebrated on January 26.
Polling commissioned by right-wing think tank the Institute of Public Affairs shows just 10 per cent of 1000 people surveyed want to change the date of the national day.
Ten days out from Australia Day, the Greens have offered to hold ceremonies on behalf of local councils who refuse to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 out of respect for indigenous people.
The poll, follows the Morrison government's directive to councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
Under changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code to be introduced in 2020, councils will also have to hold a second citizenship ceremony on September 17 - Australian Citizenship Day - and new citizens will have to abide by a strict dress code that bans boardshorts and thongs.
"Australian citizenship is an immense privilege and fundamental to our national identity," Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Minister David Coleman said.
Minister for Immigration David Coleman . Source: AAP
"As part of this update, the government will require that citizenship ceremonies be held on Australia Day across the nation.
"New citizens should be given the opportunity to become an Australian on our national day - Australia Day is an incredibly important part of our national calendar."
Amid a growing push from some corners to change Australia's national from January 26, several councils have already made plans to move or cancel traditional celebrations this year.
Australian citizenship recipients and their guests attend a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day in Brisbane, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Source: AAP Image/Dan Peled
Australian Local Government Association president Mayor David O’Loughlin said most councils likely won’t be opposed to the government’s proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code but councils will have valid concerns.
"Most councils hold more than one citizenship ceremony a year, some as often as monthly - the Federal Government’s strong focus on drawing a link between Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies is bizarre," he said.
"We do acknowledge that a small number of councils are in discussions with their communities about whether the 26th of January is the appropriate day to celebrate Australia Day.
