The City of Greater Geelong has suspended its Indigenous affairs advisory committee indefinitely amid ongoing fallout from council's controversial Australia Day reversal decision.
The move comes after multiple committee members resigned in protest following council's decision to scrap its traditional citizenship ceremony on January 26, only to reverse the decision weeks later under pressure from the federal government.
Committee Resignations and Council Response
Council confirmed the Elders' and Traditional Owners' Committee and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee would both be paused while the city reviews its Indigenous engagement framework.
At least three committee members have resigned in recent weeks, including respected Indigenous leaders who expressed disappointment with council's handling of the Australia Day controversy.
Mayor Trent Sullivan acknowledged the situation, stating the pause would allow for 'a reset' in how council engages with Traditional Owners and the broader Indigenous community.
'We need to ensure we have the right framework in place to support meaningful engagement,' Sullivan told local media.
Australia Day Reversal Fallout
The controversy began in December when Geelong Council announced it would move its citizenship ceremony away from January 26 out of respect for Indigenous Australians.
However, the council reversed this decision in January after then-immigration minister Andrew Giles threatened to strip the council of its right to hold citizenship ceremonies.
The backflip angered both Indigenous community members who supported the original change and some councilors who felt the reversal undermined their authority.
Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken, who had championed the original Australia Day changes, expressed disappointment at the time, calling the federal intervention 'heavy-handed.'
Path Forward and Community Reaction
Council officials say they will use the committee suspension period to consult with Bunurong Traditional Owners and other Indigenous stakeholders about improving engagement processes.
The review is expected to take several months, with no clear timeline for when the committees might resume operation.
Local Indigenous leaders have expressed mixed reactions to the suspension. Some see it as an opportunity to rebuild more effective consultation structures, while others view it as further evidence of council's inconsistent commitment to Indigenous affairs.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Australia Day celebrations and Indigenous recognition in regional councils across Australia.
Geelong Council has committed to continuing its broader reconciliation efforts despite the committee suspensions, including work on its Reconciliation Action Plan and support for Indigenous community programs.
