Merri-bek council was the first to test the code under the new Albanese government,which has committed to Indigenous reconciliation through a forthcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament.

Councils traditionally hold citizenship ceremonies throughout the year,and under the Morrison-era policy were required to hold one on January 26.

Under the policy update,councils across the country will be able to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26,or on any of the three days before or after (any day from January 23 to 29).

A spokeswoman for Darebin City Council said it had yet to receive an official notification that it can hold citizenship ceremonies once again,“but looks forward to working with the federal government towards this outcome”.

Without any meetings scheduled between now and January 26,many councils will continue with their planned citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day next year.

But some councils,including City of Greater Geelong,Shepparton,Whittlesea and Surf Coast Shire,indicated toThe Age on Friday they were keen to reconsider their plans for 2024.

“With the Commonwealth government having now removed that requirement,[the] council can consider an alternative date for its first citizenship ceremony in 2024,” a spokeswoman for Surf Coast Shire said.

A number of councils,including City of Port Phillip,already mark Australia Day with a Mourning Reflection ceremony out of respect to First Nations people.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chair Marcus Stewart,who is also part of the federal government’s referendum working group on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament,said it was “good to see those punitive rules scrapped”.

“[Former prime minister] Scott Morrison tried to whip councils into line with his outdated world view by punishing councils that chose to take a stand in solidarity with First Peoples,” Stewart said.

Victorian Housing Minister Colin Brooks said:“The federal government’s done the right thing in terms of listening to local communities to allow them to have the flexibility to hold those ceremonies on whichever day they want to.”

Australian Local Government Association president Linda Scott also welcomed the move.

“Common sense has prevailed as Australia Day is an important recognition of our diverse origins and what it means to be Australian,” said Scott,who is also a City of Sydney councillor.

But federal opposition immigration and citizenship spokesman Dan Tehan criticised the move,claiming Labor had relented to pressure from local councils.

“Make no mistake,this is Labor laying the groundwork to abolish January 26 as Australia Day despite Anthony Albanese promising during the election campaign that Labor had no plans to change the date of our national day,” Tehan said.

But Albanese dismissed Tehan’s claim,saying:“I support Australia Day,the government supports Australia Day.”

In a sign the federal government anticipated the policy change would be criticised,Giles urged local councils to stick with January 26 for their citizenship ceremonies,despite the policy change.

“Australia Day holds great significance to many people across Australia. Our national day provides all Australians with the opportunity to reflect,respect,and celebrate,” he said.

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