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Local GovernmentPremiumPerth council returns citizenship ceremony to Australia Day

A Perth council has returned its Australia Day citizenship ceremony to January 26, with at least one councillor admitting it would hurt the city’s Indigenous reference group.

Justin Bianchini and Erick Lopez

opinion
opinion
Kim MacdonaldCommentsPremium
opinion
Like or not, Halloween is now bigger than Australia Day

Sensitivities have changed across the nation over the years, and I won’t party on January 26 again. But you can give me the guilt-free sugar of Halloween any day.

Kim Macdonald

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumRocko council backflips on Australia Day after Jan 26 snub

On January 27 this year, it welcomed 99 new citizens in a citizenship ceremony and held a carnival on the foreshore.

Rachel Fenner

COUNCILPremiumGnowangerup Shire no longer hosting Aus Day festivities

A Great Southern shire will no longer host Australia Day festivities amid falling attendance, and out of respect for the local Noongar community.

Hannah Whitehead

CrimeFamily of accused terror teen move out over reprisals fear

The family of a teenager who allegedly stabbed a bishop and a priest during a terror attack at a church in Sydney’s west that triggered a riot has moved out of their home due to fears of reprisal attacks. 

Remy Varga

opinion
opinion
Robert Drewe CommentsPremium
opinion
Captain Cook and rewritten history

Poor old James Cook is in the news again, with his Melbourne statue ignominiously chopped off at the ankles as a protest against commemorating colonial figures.

Laura Newell

Laura Newell

Alternative dateCommentsPremiumAustralia Day event kicks off a day late in Perth’s south

As the Australia Day debate rages, some WA councils held their celebrations on Saturday, with Rockingham hosting a carnival on the foreshore.

Lauren Price

Tackling suicide CommentsPremium WA’s ‘chief of push-ups’ planning Canada challenge

WA’s Local Hero for 2024 Nick Hudson, who set up what is now Australia’s largest fitness-based mental health event, says an international expansion into Canada was the next big step. 

Dylan Caporn

updated
updated
Aus Day ordealComments
updated
Six injured as tree branches fall at Kings Park

With its panoramic view of the city skyline, Kings Park is one of the more popular locations to watch the annual Australia Day fireworks and drone show. But some spectators got more than just a great view.

Emily Moulton and Peta Rasdien

Huge turnoutVideoCommentsPremiumFamilies out in force for Australia Day fireworks and drones

Tens of thousands of families have gathered along the Swan River ahead of the Australia Day drone and fireworks show.

Claire Sadler

Hive of activityCommentsNo protests, just pro-boats at Mandurah’s Australia Day

Mandurah drew a huge crowd celebrating Australia Day with thousands taking to the water to make the most of the perfect weather.

Kasey Gratton

Opposition growsCommentsPremiumWA mayor says it’s time PM settled Australia Day argument

Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacobs said he wanted the Prime Minister to resolve the issue, rather than leaving it up to individual local governments. 

Jake Dietsch

Red graffitiPremium‘Invasion’: Iconic NSW memorial defaced

A well-known memorial to a British explorer who made a defining expedition through NSW has been defaced amid Australia Day protests all over the country.

Blake Antrobus

GalleryCamera IconPremium‘A sad, hard day’: Thousands rally for Invasion Day protest

Around 1000 protesters took to Forrest Place in Perth CBD on Friday to rally for Invasion Day. SEE THE PICTURES. 

Boat brawlVideoCommentsTraditional WA Aussie Day river raft-up turns ugly

The raft-up is a common sight on Australia Day on the Swan River - what’s uncommon are the ugly scenes that broke out in the water on Friday. 

Rachel Fenner

Better life CommentsPremiumPICTURED: WA hosts biggest Aus Day citizenship ceremony

WA hosted the biggest Australia Day citizenship ceremony in the country, with Premier Roger Cook saying the hundreds of new Australians proved the success of the State’s multiculturalism.

Jake Dietsch

‘So proud’CommentsPremiumMigrants-turned-Aussie citizens lap up Aus Day ceremonies

Hundreds of migrants have marked officially becoming Australians at a citizenship ceremony on South Perth’s foreshore, celebrating the momentous moment with none other than a barbeque and a snag.

Lauren Price

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Date debateCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Damaging statues ‘un-Australian’, say Perth rally organisers

Perth’s Invasion Day rally organisers have cautioned West Aussies against defacing statues of colonial figures, like those targeted in the eastern states.

Caitlyn Rintoul

‘F**k Australia’CommentsParliament locked down as protesters breach entrance

Hundreds of protesters have breached police lines outside of Parliament House in Canberra as thousands gather for Invasion Day rallies across the country.

Nathan Schmidt and Courtney Gould

Invasion Day ralliesVideoCommentsAUS DAY CHAOS: Major city streets flooded with protesters

Thousands of people have gathered at emotional ceremonies nationwide to mark Australia Day as protesters prepare to battle heatwaves for nationwide Invasion Day marches.

‘I don’t get it’CommentsREVEALED: The angry rants from Woolies workers on Aus Day

Disgruntled Woolworths staff have hit out at the supermarket’s divisive Australia Day stance, calling it ‘unbelievable’ and ‘disgusting’.

Jonathon Nolan

opinion
opinion
Bethany HiattCommentsPremium
opinion
Australia deserves a day for all

With advancing age comes — maybe not wisdom exactly — but a sense of perspective on the cyclical nature of public opinion.

Bethany Hiatt

Bethany Hiatt

‘Invasion’CommentsJesinta Franklin’s brutal takedown of Aussie Day revellers

‘Will you learn the proper place names of the land you live on?’

opinion
opinion
EditorialCommentsPremium
opinion
A moment to celebrate Aussie heroes

This year, as has become the norm, there has been plenty of debate about whether January 26 is an appropriate day on which to celebrate our national day.