By Brendan Foster
The City of Fremantle will not hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies on its "culturally inclusive alternative event" on January 28 after the Turnbull government threatened to ban the council from hosting them.
The federal government's very public spat with Fremantle council gained national and international attention during the past week after Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke warned the city it would be banned from holding any citizenship ceremonies for "politicising" its controversial One Day in Fremantle event two days after Australia Day.
Fremantle council refused to be bullied and stood its ground, claiming the citizenship ceremonies could be held on January 28 because it was not in breach of the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.
Even after the Turnbull government again went on the offensive on Wednesday, the council refused to be intimidated, saying it was "confident" the ceremonies would go ahead.
The federal government was locked in a stoush with the City of Fremantle.
On Thursday, Mr Hawke stepped up the fight, sending the city a blunt letter that the council could not hold them "under any circumstances" and imposing a 5pm deadline to reply.
That left Fremantle with no choice but to concede and hold its citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
But the city had a minor victory, confirming it would hold an informal ceremony at the One Day in Fremantle event on January 28 in "recognition of the many migrants who have chosen to make Fremantle their home".
"Our council made the decision to provide the option of attending a culturally inclusive event on January 28," Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said.
Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt, Dr. Richard Walley OAM, Gina Williams and John Butler are supporters of the January 28 event.
"While the feedback from new citizens was that they would be happy to be conferred citizenship at the 'One Day' event, the federal government has not supported a ceremony on this date.
"We are receiving strong support from our community, and beyond, about this decision.
"This was never about the timing of the citizenship ceremony – it was included in the 'One Day' program as we felt that new citizens would enjoy the opportunity to be welcomed to our community at such a large and exciting event."
Dr Pettitt said new citizens had the option of attending a ceremony on January 26 or March 14.
We are receiving strong support from our community, and beyond, about this decision.
"We welcome Australians celebrating, in whichever way they see fit, the wonderful and diverse place in which we live," he said.
"One Day in Fremantle provides an option that will give families the opportunity to enjoy a whole day in Fremantle, and experience all it has to offer in terms of culture, retail, hospitality and entertainment.
"With the free, world-class entertainment on offer, including John Butler, Dan Sultan and Mama Kin, we are confident many people will join us to celebrate everything that makes Australia great."
The council was consistently adamant its 'One Day' event was not a political statement but Mr Hawke, representing the Turnbull government, clearly didn't agree.
"Notwithstanding your assurances that the ceremony would be held with due formality and dignity with no political comment being made at the ceremony, the fact is that the council promulgated its 'One Day' event on its website, flyers and in the invitation letter issued to perspective conferees for the associated ceremony," he wrote to the council.
"I therefore consider that, should a ceremony proceed on this day, it would be a serious breach of the Australian citizenship ceremonies code with respect to ceremonies being apolitical."
Mr Hawke put out a statement on Friday saying he "welcomed" Fremantle council's "common sense decision".
"The government's view is that citizenship ceremonies are non-commercial, apolitical, bipartisan and secular," he said.
"They must not be used as forums for political, partisan or religious expression or for the distribution of material which could be perceived to be of a commercial, political or religious nature. "Australia Day 26th January is our national day and is a perfectly appropriate and suitable choice for an Australian citizenship ceremony to be held."
Councillors have come under fire since voting in August to scrap the fireworks event from 2017 and saying many Australians were uncomfortable celebrating a day representing "sadness and dispossession" for Aboriginal people.
The city may now have a bloody nose but Fremantle council won hundreds of admirers on social media, with Facebook users around the world supporting their initiative, although hundreds also vented their anger, calling the council 'un-Australian'.
On Thursday, Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren slammed the Turnbull government for threatening to strip the council of its citizenship ceremony.
"The Turnbull government's ban on the City of Fremantle holding citizenship ceremonies on January 28 is petty and ridiculous," she said.
"Since citizenship ceremonies are held in Fremantle on different days throughout the year, there should be no impediment to holding one on 28 January.
"There is strong support in this community for Fremantle council's decision."