Dozens of councils in Perth are scrapping the Australia Day tradition – with one of them hosting a 'truth telling' programme

At least a dozen councils in Perth have moved the date of their Australia Day citizenship ceremonies as divisions around the national holiday continue to grow.

Councils deciding to hold the ceremony at a later date include Mosman Park, Cambridge and Fremantle in the west of the city, Rockingham and Wanneroo in the south and north respectively and Victoria Park, south-east of the CBD.

The councils' moves come after the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code was updated to allow councils to celebrate the holiday three days before or after January 26.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has decided to pass on the choice to the council to host the ceremony.

More than 80 people across the country have already canceled the date.

January 26 remains a divisive issue, with 'Invasion Day' gatherings growing in size as they are attended by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Fremantle was one of the first municipalities to abolish January 26 as Australia Day, instead choosing to celebrate 'One Day' on January 28 since 2016.

One-day events have grown since the single smoking ceremony at Bathers Beach, now adding other Indigenous cultural activities and a concert at Esplanade Reserve.

This year's One Day celebrations will also include a new program of Truth Telling, which will 'include the three pillars of Voice, Treaty and Truth'.

According to Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, the event has “sparked debate across the country” about the January 26 celebrations.

“Many local authorities and businesses are now holding inclusive celebrations on a different date,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said in a statement in December.

Other councils have followed suit, with more than 80 municipalities deciding to withdraw or cancel citizenship ceremonies on the day.

However, some councils, including the City of Perth, have remained steadfast in keeping January 26 as the date for Australia Day.

Mayor Basil Zempilas noted that the day's fireworks will be more subdued due to financial reasons and “the mood of the community.”

The councils join more than 80 others who have decided not to hold celebrations on the National Day this year, after only four councils withheld ceremonies last year (stock image)

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

In late 2022, the Albanian government scrapped a rule that forced municipalities to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

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.