Peter Dutton has promised to reinstate the mandatory requirement for councils across the country to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
The opposition leader criticized Anthony Albanese’s attitude towards national day celebrations, accusing the Prime Minister of allowing January 26 to become “something to be ashamed of”.
“Would we reinstate the requirement for councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day?” Dutton told reporters on Monday.
“You can bet it will be done in the first 100 days and it will be a sign of pride and nationalism in our country.”
Dutton said he believed Australis was “the greatest country in the world”.
‘I am incredibly proud of Australians and who we are. “I am proud of our indigenous heritage,” he added.
“I’m very proud of our immigrant history and I’m very proud of the fact that we are a country that must stand up, protect and defend its values.”
In late 2022, the Labor government removed the previous rule requiring councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) criticized Anthony Albanese’s approach to national day celebrations, accusing the Prime Minister of allowing January 26 to become “something to be ashamed of”.

In late 2022, the Labor government removed the previous rule requiring councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. This led to more than 80 councils opting not to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 last year.
Albanese insisted there was “no change here” but this led to more than 80 councils last year deciding to scrap citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
He was accused of “sneaking around” by burdening the council with a politically sensitive decision.
But opposition leader Mr Dutton has made clear that if elected the coalition will restore the old government.
“So the Prime Minister sent a signal to those councils that Australia Day didn’t matter, but that’s exactly what he did,” Mr Dutton said.
Australia Day, celebrated each year on January 26, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, raised the Union Jack in Sydney Cove.
But for many First Nations people, it is considered “Invasion Day” or “Day of Mourning.”
A recent poll, conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), found that 69 per cent of 1,002 respondents agreed that the national holiday should remain on January 26, an increase of six points from 12 months ago.
The survey also found that 86 per cent of respondents were “proud to be Australian”, while 68 per cent agreed that Australia has “a history to be proud of”.
IPA deputy chief executive Daniel Wild said the results demonstrated a change in the vibe and energy surrounding Australia Day.
“It is clear that Australians in general have felt bad about this attitude and about being humiliated by the elites,” Wild said.
“January 26 is more than just a date – it represents the establishment of modern Australia as a free and fair country.”