NEWSPORT NEWSFEED: Douglas Australia Day change would be wiped by Dutton

Tuesday, January 14

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If Peter Dutton wins power at the next Election, Australia Day ceremonies will be returned to Australia Day. This year though, the likes of Cooya Beach lads Noah and Jonah Field can enjoy a free pool party at Mossman Pool on the national day. Picture: Bryan Littlely

Liberal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has doubled down on his culture campaign saying he will mandate that Local Councils hold official Australia Day celebrations on January 26 if he takes government at the next Federal Election.

Douglas Shire Council will this year hold its Australia Day Award Ceremony on Friday, January 24, sparking a wave of comment on Newsport’s comments and social media pages from residents expressing both outrage and gratitude for the move.

Mayor Lisa Scomazzon says the move was “not political” but to give people choices on how they marked the national day, adding that a free pool party and the Low Island Launch Rally were two events on Australia Day the community could attend.

The change of date for Douglas Shire Council’s Australia Day ceremony was decided on by council late last year, and was stated as being for 2025 only.

But Mr Dutton has today vowed to make councils hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, saying the nation should not be "ashamed" of its national day. He would make the move in the first 100 days of being in power, he said.

Mr Dutton said Australia should recognise the good and bad in its history, rather than shy away from it.

"There are millions of Australians who have made the migrant journey to our country, they have enriched this country, and for many of them Australia Day is sacrosanct because they became citizens on that day," Mr Dutton said.

"We have an incredible Indigenous history we should celebrate, and we have an incredible migrant story we should celebrate that as well."

The rules for ceremonies were changed in 2022 to allow councils to hold the events on Australia Day or three days before or after, but Mr Dutton wants that reverted.

 

Heatwave updates include Cairns and surrounds

The Bureau of Meteorology advises extreme heatwave conditions continue to affect far northern Queensland, including Cairns, Ingham and surrounding areas.

These conditions are forecast to continue this week and are expected to reach a severity that may pose a health risk to those in the affected areas.

While extreme heatwave conditions are no longer impacting areas of the Cape and Mackay regions, parts of far northern, northern and central Queensland continue to experience severe heatwave conditions.

Make sure you know what to do when there is a heatwave warning in your area. Stay informed by visiting the Heatwave Service for Australia website.

 

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