A second Melbourne council has voted not to hold a citizenship ceremony or public celebrations on Australia Day.
The move by Darebin council comes a week after neighbouring Yarra council voted for the same measures, prompting a stern rebuke from Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Councillors for the northern Melbourne suburb voted five to two in favour of moving its largest annual citizenship ceremony to another date.
The move comes despite a letter delivered to all councils from assistant immigration minister Alex Hawke warning that councils could be stripped of their right to hold a citizenship ceremony at all.
Councillor Trent McCarthy said the decision came from a position of “compassion and respect” and not because the idea was “popular.”
Councillor Julie Williams, who voted against the motion, said more residents should have been consulted prior to the vote.
