New Australia Day requirements appear unlikely to have a direct impact on councils throughout the Wimmera, including the Northern Grampians Shire.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Immigration Minister David Coleman this week announced plans to change the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code to require councils to host such ceremonies on Australia Day, January 26 and Australian Citizenship Day, September 17.
A strict dress code for ceremonies will also be introduced banning board shorts and thongs.
"I'm a prime minister for standards," Mr Morrison said.
Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin said the enforcement from the government is unlikely to have an impact on his council region.
“We have about eight people doing the ceremony on Australia Day this year,” he said.
“We also cater for anyone who doesn't want to do it on Australia Day or might want to do it at another time of the year.
“Overall I am just happy to see people becoming Australian citizens, whenever that may be.”
Smaller councils could be exempt from the federal government’s plan dictating the dates of citizenship ceremonies.
The office of Mallee MP Andrew Broad has confirmed council areas with no new conferees for citizenship will not have to hold ceremonies.
“The Government recognises there may be cases where a council will be unable to host a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day,” a spokesperson said.
“The Government has written to councils asking for feedback on the new Code. Councils will have until February 28 to provide any feedback.”
Yarriambiack Shire Mayor Graeme Massey said the council only conducted citizenship ceremonies when requested.
“Since I’ve been mayor, there have only been two ceremonies in three years, so there is not a massive demand for them,” he said.