Many Northern and North-Western councils will not hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
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A sharp city and country divide has emerged over Tasmanian councils' Australia Day events, with most urban-based municipalities opting to stage their citizenship ceremonies before or after the date, but regional councils continuing traditions of holding them on the day.
Of the eight Northern and North-Western councils contacted by Australian Community Media, five will hold their ceremonies on either January 24, 25 or 27, while three will continue to stage events on Australia Day.
The ones opting to change the date were all bigger urban centres, whereas councils retaining their Australia Day events were based in more regional areas.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese passed changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code last year, requiring councils to hold a ceremony on Australia Day, or the three days prior or after.
Activists claim that Australia Day marks the beginning of invasion, colonisation and genocide for Aboriginal people.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell said January 26 was a "divisive" day that marked the British arrival and their declaration of war on Australia's indigenous population.
''How much longer must Aborigines suffer the offensiveness of celebrating and legitimising the invasion of this country?" she said.
Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the Launceston City Council hosts four citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, but has not held one on Australia Day since a vote in 2019.
"With this ruling now in place, and in line with the 2019 council decision, the City of Launceston will hold a Citizenship Ceremony on Wednesday January 24," Cr Garwood said.
"I understand there are a range of views and opinions in the community about Australia Day, and I look forward to being part of more conversations in the future."
Burnie, Devonport and West Tamar councils took a similar position, opting to not stage ceremonies on January 26.
But like other regional councils, Latrobe Council Mayor Peter Freshney said there had been no pressure in his community to stage events on a different day.
He said he was "disappointed" in the decision of other councils to not officially mark the day with citizenship ceremonies.
"Our council and community I'd suggest are still responsive to requests to have citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day," he said.
"Having that opportunity provided for them - to have their citizenship provided on Australia Day - I think it's a really healthy part of what we do to celebrate this great country and the people who choose to make this their home," he said.
Break O'Day Council Mayor Mick Tucker likewise said there had been no pushback against plans to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
"We've all got our views on many different things, and in our area we are continuing [with citizenship ceremonies in the day]."
"It is the 75th anniversary of Australia Day and that is quite significant in itself, so we'll be holding Australia Day on Australia Day, and doing our citizenships on Australia Day," Cr Tucker said.
George Town Mayor Greg Kieser said his council's citizenship ceremony on the 26th would be followed by a community pool party in the afternoon.
"We are doing the full works," Cr Kieser said.
When asked about the plans of other councils to not stage an event on Australia Day, Cr Kieser said: "Each to their own if that's what their constituents really want".
