By Ewen McRae
Changes to citizenship ceremonies were ticked off by Melton council last week, including the introduction of a dress code for all attendees.
As part of a revised Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code announced by the immigration minister in September, local council’s are now mandated to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, and must enforce a dress code.
Individual council’s are able to set their own dress code, which must then be lodged with the minister.
Melton council last week endorsed a broad dress code, which applies to both those taking part in the ceremony and those in attendance.
“In order to reflect the significance of becoming an Australian citizen at a City of Melton citizenship ceremony, attendees should wear either formal or business attire or smart casual attire,” the dress code states.
“Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional, national or cultural dress.”
Councillor Sophie Ramsey questioned council officers at last week’s meeting on whether someone in the gallery coming straight from work in workwear would be admitted into the ceremony.
“If someone is going to come in thongs and boardies, and they’ve had all day, I can understand it,” Cr Ramsey said.
“But if they’ve come straight from work, running late maybe, is there some scope or wriggle room on the dress code?”
Legal and governance manager Christine Denyer said that clothing colour was not mentioned in the dress code and so shouldn’t impact on someone’s admittance to a ceremony.
The changes come following a huge spike in the number of citizenship ceremonies and new citizens within the municipality.
In 2018/19 there were 14 ceremonies within the council, conferring citizenship on 1302 residents, a jump from just five ceremonies and 509 conferees in 2017/18.
Based on projections given to the council from the Department of Home Affairs, Melton Council is expected to have between 25 and 34 ceremonies for 2480 conferees in the 2019/20 year.
