Consultation questions over Oz Day changes

Questions have been raised about the extent of community consultation conducted by two Melbourne councils ahead of their move to shift citizenship ceremonies away from Australia Day.

Inner-northern Yarra City Council and neighbouring Darebin council have backed the change, citing indigenous sensitivities surrounding January 26 and community support for change.

Both Greens-dominated councils have subsequently been stripped of the right to host citizenship ceremonies at any time of the year by the federal government.

Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke said he would not let Australia Day be "hijacked" by The Greens.

Despite Darebin Council's talk of inclusivity, the council surveyed a mere 81 citizens from a population of nearly 150,000, Mr Hawke added.

Victoria's local government minister Natalie Hutchins said the councils should have done more.

"At the heart of this debate is the fact that we have councils that didn't consult widely enough with their own ratepayers around this very important issue," she told parliament on Tuesday.