The immigration minister, David Coleman, said it meant “councils will no longer be able to say ‘no’ to Australia Day”. “Our government believes all new citizens should have the opportunity to become an Australian on Australia Day. On Sunday, Morrison said making the ceremonies compulsory would stop local councils “playing politics with Australia Day”. Or they have it the week before, so everyone on Australia Day already has their Australian citizenship. “The federal government’s strong focus on drawing a link between Australia Day and citizenship ceremonies is bizarre.

Source: The Guardian January 13, 2019 00:19 UTC