The Turnbull government has been accused of acting like a bully after it threatened to ban Fremantle from hosting citizenship ceremonies because the city has moved its Australia Day celebrations to January 28.
The Greens released a statement on Saturday saying the federal government's response set a dangerous, interfering, precedent.
More WA News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:12
Indigenous elders confront 6PR's Adam ...
Indigenous elders confront 6PR's Adam Shand
A group of elders speak with 6PR Drive Presenter Adam Shand about his views on Fremantle moving Australia Day celebrations.
Up Next
Cruise ship docks in Fremantle
- Video duration
- 02:36
- Video duration
- 02:36
Cruise ship docks in Fremantle
Cruise ship docks in Fremantle
The world's fourth-largest cruise ship, Ovation of the Seas, has officially docked in Fremantle. Today Perth News was there for its arrival this morning. Vision Nine News Perth.
Up Next
BMW explodes in Yokine
- Video duration
- 01:00
- Video duration
- 01:00
BMW explodes in Yokine
BMW explodes in Yokine
Police are treating a luxury car fire in Perth's north as suspicious. The BMW X-6 exploded into flames in Yokine last night.
Up Next
Kwinana gas leak
- Video duration
- 01:43
- Video duration
- 01:43
Kwinana gas leak
Kwinana gas leak
There's been an emergency at a gas facility in Kwinana this morning, where fire fighters have just stopped a leak that triggered a hazmat warning.
Up Next
Perth teen sent home for hair being too short
- Video duration
- 01:51
- Video duration
- 01:51
Perth teen sent home for hair being too ...
Perth teen sent home for hair being too short
Teenage boy kicked out of school this morning because his hair was "too short".
Up Next
City Beach horrific car crash
- Video duration
- 01:31
- Video duration
- 01:31
City Beach horrific car crash
City Beach horrific car crash
A teenage girl is fighting for her life this morning after being injured in an horrific car crash in City Beach. Vision: Nine News Perth.
Up Next
Three-year-old Joseph found after two hour ordeal
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Three-year-old Joseph found after two ...
Three-year-old Joseph found after two hour ordeal
A full scale police search was launched on Friday afternoon after a car was stolen from a Perth home with a toddler still inside.
Up Next
Car stolen in East Victoria Park with three-year-old boy inside
- Video duration
- 00:39
- Video duration
- 00:39
Car stolen in East Victoria Park with ...
Car stolen in East Victoria Park with three-year-old boy inside
A car with a three-year-old boy inside has been stolen in East Victoria Park at 1.50pm this afternoon.
Indigenous elders confront 6PR's Adam Shand
A group of elders speak with 6PR Drive Presenter Adam Shand about his views on Fremantle moving Australia Day celebrations.
"The Turnbull Government threatening to ban citizenship ceremonies in Fremantle because they do not agree with the City of Fremantle kick-starting an important conversation about cultural inclusivity is inappropriate, bullying and sets a dangerous precedent," said Senator Rachel Siewert.
The council started a storm of controversy in August when it announced it would cancel the traditional Australia Day fireworks and move the celebrations to a "culturally-inclusive alternative event" two days later.
Related Content
On Friday it emerged that Assistant Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke had written to the council threatening to stop it from holding any citizenship ceremonies unless celebrations were moved back to January 26.
But the City of Fremantle issued a statement saying it had no intention of reneging on the move stating it was "not a political rally or protest and also satisfies the conditions of being non-commercial, bipartisan and non-religious."
State Green MP Lynn MacLaren also hit out at the attack from the federal government and praised Fremantle for its determination in proceeding with its One Day in Fremantle event.
"The City of Fremantle has weathered strong reactions to this decision but the fact remains that both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians have been asking for this for a long time," she saidÂ
"It's a conversation that needed to be had."
Follow WAtoday on Twitter @WAtoday