Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code Submission by the Victorian Local Governance Association

Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code

Submission by the Victorian Local Governance Association

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code (the Code). The VLGA is an independent peak body that supports councils and councillors in, effective local governance. The VLGA offers a range of services and resources for councils.

The VLGA recognises the importance of citizenship and the vital service provided by councils on behalf of the Australian Government in their conferral of citizenship to new Australians.

Upon receipt of the proposed changes to the Code from the Department of Home Affairs, the VLGA surveyed its member councils to gauge their current practices in relation to conduct of citizenship ceremonies and to seek their feedback on the proposed changes. (Please see Appendix A for a copy of the survey questions.) The VLGA received 22 responses to the survey, representing 50% of its membership and 28% of all 79 councils in Victoria.