Read the full list of councils that have ditched a major Australia Day tradition as Aussies fume over the news: ‘It’s a slap in the face’

Anger is mounting after 80 councils decided to scrap citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, exposing bitter divisions around the national holiday.

Opponents took to social media to express their anger and dismay at the abandonment of the ritual, accusing councils of pandering to a minority that believes January 26 should be marked by mourning over the dispossession of indigenous peoples.

Others have supported the move, saying citizenship ceremonies have been held at times other than Australia Day in the past.

The federal opposition has vowed to reverse the trend as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is accused of abolishing the tradition.

'How pathetic is this once great country becoming?' one person furious on social media platform

“Far left/green councils,” another added.

'January 26 is Australia Day, supported by the majority of Australians, only those who don't support it hate this country.'

“It's a bloody slap in the face to those who pay rates to keep them in work,” wrote another irate X user.

“We need to phase out local governments… they are another level of unnecessary governance and can barely function even with limited responsibilities such as rates, waste, sewerage, pet control, etc.”

“They (the councils) are at odds with 62% of the country,” someone else wrote, referring to the percentage of voters who rejected Indigenous Voice in parliament during the October referendum.

However, some supported the move, with some pointing out that citizenship ceremonies took place throughout the year.

“Farcical front page in the Herald Sun listing 80 councils that chose not to hold a citizenship ceremony on January 26,” tweeted Stephen Mayne, the founder of left-wing news and opinion newsletter Crikey.

“We do them every month, so why do you have to be on this controversial date?”

“My citizenship ceremony didn't take place on Australia Day,” said another.

“The Turnbull government forced councils to hold it on January 26, 2017.”

“And who cares?” another person tweeted.

“They hold their citizenship ceremonies on normal workdays. Taxpayers need to save money. No double pay during the week.'

In response, a supporter of the date said it is true that citizenship ceremonies are held on other days “but the decision not to hold them on Australia Day smacks of self-righteousness and hypocrisy!”

Australia Day has become a polarizing event, with some arguing that January 26 should be marked as a day of mourning for the dispossession of Indigenous people

“For immigrants seeking citizenship, an Australian Day ceremony is just that little bit more special!” they had an argument.

The Albanian government at the end of 2022 removed a rule that forced councils to cling Australia Day ceremonies of citizenship.

Mr Albanese assured Aussies at the time that 'there will be no changes here'.

Only four municipalities, including the City of Sydney, chose to boycott the event this year in the wake of the recent rule change, but quadrupled for 2024.

On Saturday, the Herald Sun revealed more than 80 councils across Australia have decided to scrap citizenship ceremonies on January 26, including more than a quarter of councils in Victoria.

The federal opposition promised to reverse this trend.

“If the Coalition wins the next election, we will do everything we can to unite Australians on Australia Day,” Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan said:

“This includes ensuring that new citizens across our country have the choice to have their citizenship ceremony on our National Day.”

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the government has no plan to change the date of Australia Day or ban citizenship ceremonies on that date if councils wish to do so.

“I look forward to welcoming new citizens to ceremonies in the coming weeks, including on Australia Day,” he said.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said her council's decision to scrap the January 26 citizenship ceremony had widespread support and Australia Day was a “painful” day for many people.

Ms Moore said the City of Sydney would instead hold ceremonies on January 29, in line with the new government code, as it would this year.

She said ceremonies previously held in the city of Sydney on January 26 had a low attendance of just 10-15 people, while the new date of January 29 was expected to see 160 people become Australian citizens.