Melbourne City Council is facing a renewed dispute over Australia Day after Councillor Philip Le Liu proposed restoring official celebrations on 26 January. The motion argues that changing the date is the federal government’s responsibility and would require the council to consider community activities, promotions and a possible return of the Australia Day Parade.

The council has not formally recognised Australia Day since 2022, when it supported changing the date, amid continuing disagreement over whether 26 January marks national identity or the start of Indigenous dispossession and suffering. Le Liu’s motion is expected to receive support from several councillors, while others oppose it; the positions of Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell and Councillor Andrew Rowse remain uncertain.