A NSW council's backdown on changing the date of Australia Day citizenship ceremonies from January 26 has been hailed as a "win for common sense" by the prime minister.
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Byron Shire Council last month decided to move the event to January 25, sparking a war of words with Scott Morrison and threats to strip its right to hold citizenship ceremonies.
"A win for common sense. We should always be proud to celebrate Australia Day," Mr Morrison tweeted on Monday alongside a news article of the council's backflip.
Citizenship Minister David Coleman has written to all council mayors to reinforce that citizenship ceremonies should be apolitical, bipartisan, non-commercial and secular.
"The government has been very clear on its position that citizenship ceremonies should not be used as tools to support or promote a political agenda or to delegitimise Australia's national day in any way," Mr Coleman said in a statement on Monday.
"I welcome mayor Simon Richardson's and his council's decision to reinstate the Australia Day citizenship ceremony."
The date of Australia Day has been the subject of national debate with calls to move it led by many indigenous people who see January 26 as "Invasion Day".
Australian Associated Press
