Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s push for citizenship ceremonies to be compulsory on Australia Day, and for a dress code of “no boardies or thongs” to be introduced at the ceremonies, is a non-issue for MidCoast Council.
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Local councils will be forced to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day in a Morrison government move aimed at locking in January 26 as the national day, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
In changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code to take place in 2019, councils must also hold a citizenship ceremony each year on Australian Citizenship Day – September 17.
The self-titled “Prime Minister for standards” also intends to institute a dress code disallowing the wearing of board shorts and thongs, a move some people have labelled as ‘un-Australian’.
MidCoast council hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies at Taree, Gloucester and Forster, if council has a presiding officer available. Presiding officers are usually the mayor, deputy mayor and general manager of council.
“In accordance with the (current) Code, ceremonies are held every two to three months. MidCoast Council usually conducts up to five ceremonies a year; three in addition to those conducted on Australia Day and Australian Citizenship Day,” a council spokesperson said.
At other times, ceremonies rotate between MidCoast Council chambers in Taree and Forster, which are the only two large enough to accommodate the candidates and their guests.
As for the institution of a dress code outlawing beach attire, it seems local candidates have enough respect for the ceremony to dress accordingly.
“We don’t believe a candidate has ever attended their ceremony dressed inappropriately,” the spokesperson said.