City of Melbourne will lobby to change the date, but will keep 26 January ceremonies if unsuccessful

Melbourne’s lord mayor, Sally Capp, says the council’s decision to lobby for a change in the date represents the views of its constituents. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The City of Melbourne will advocate for the federal government to change the date of Australia Day from 26 January, despite the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, saying there are no plans to shift the national celebration.

At a future Melbourne committee meeting on Tuesday evening, councillors voted to campaign for the Albanese government to change the date – a decision that can only be made at a federal level.