City relaxed on Oz Day edict

The City of Albany does not think proposed changes to Australia Day rules and standards will have an impact on local ceremonies.

On January 13 Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new rules from 2020 which require Australian councils to host citizenship ceremonies on January 26, and for citizenship recipients to dress formally.

The announcement came after several local governments nationwide boycotted Australia Day events in 2017.

Mr Morrison did not explicitly detail what dress standards would be expected, but ruled out thongs and board shorts.

“You wouldn’t turn up to your kids’ graduation or something like that dressed like that,” he said.

However, City of Albany chief executive Andrew Sharp said he did not expect the plans to change things in Albany.

“The City holds a formal and fitting citizenship and awards ceremony every Australia day that celebrates our community, cultural diversity and welcomes new citizens,” Mr Sharp said.

“The City and those attending take a lot of pride in the occasion and they always dress smartly.”

Not all councils reacted to the announcement as well as the City of Albany, with Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn going online and telling the Federal Government to “bugger off”.

“I have sworn in brand new Aussies in double pluggers/boardies/zinc on nose, saris/dhotis, suits and hi-vis,” the mayor said on Twitter.

“Bugger off and just stick to signing the certificates, Federal Government.”