Fremantle council has decided to move its traditional Australia Day events to 28 January because of cultural sensitivities. Pettitt said the council said it had heard “loud and clear” from local Aboriginal elders that it wasn’t a day to celebrate. “I strongly condemn them for this whole thing ... Australia Day is Australia Day.”In August the council voted to cancel its traditional fireworks display on 26 January. The council will hold citizenship ceremonies at the One Day in Fremantle event, two days after the rest of the country. Pettitt said the council had no wish to interfere with other celebrations on 26 January“We were never trying to say to people they couldn’t do anything or shouldn’t do anything on Australia Day,” he said.

Source: The Guardian November 24, 2016 21:33 UTC