A contentious decision by Dubbo Regional Council to move Australia Day ceremonies to January 25 has sparked outrage among locals, with 87% opposing the change in a recent poll.
The council voted on the date change at a meeting on Tuesday, with Labor Councillor Pam Wells successfully moving the amendment.
The decision has been met with fierce criticism from the community, with many branding the move as an “abuse of power” and an “outrageous” decision.
Australia Day, celebrated on January 26, has been a topic of debate in recent years, with many Indigenous Australians referring to it as “Invasion Day”.
The date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the subsequent colonization of Australia.
The council’s decision to move the ceremonies to January 25 aims to balance the needs of the community and provide a range of activities for residents.
However, Councillor Shibli Chowdhury, who opposed the motion, argued that the council needed to “listen to the community” and respect their wishes.
A survey of 109 people in the local government area found that 87% of respondents wanted to keep the ceremony on the original date of January 26.
The council dismissed the survey as “not statistically significant” due to the small sample size.
In response to the backlash, Dubbo Regional Council stated that they had not changed the date of Australia Day, but rather, would hold events and activities on January 25 to recognize the public holiday.
Residents are urged to spend Australia Day on January 26 in a way that is meaningful to them, with the council encouraging the community to come together and celebrate in their own way.