OZ DAY BOYCOTT THREAT
Green’s rogue stance on attending civic events
THE lone Green on Geelong council, Sarah Mansfield, pictured , has expressed her misgivings about Australia Day celebrations and indicated she may boycott civic events on January 26 as debate rages over the pros and cons of the date.
THE lone Green on Geelong council has expressed her misgivings about Australia Day celebrations and indicated she may boycott civic events on January 26 as debate rages over the pros and cons of the date.
Geelong’s first Greens councillor, Sarah Mansfield, said more consultation was needed over the date of the national day, including with the region’s indigenous people.
“Personally, I want Australia Day to be a day that everyone can celebrate,” Cr Mansfield said.
“Unfortunately, January 26th is a painful day for many Australians. I believe it is important to recognise this, and it is good to see that a conversation about this is gaining momentum.
“While I appreciate that there are a number of celebrations planned for Australia Day in Geelong, I am personally ambivalent about whether I’ll be attending them.
“Our citizenship ceremonies are special occasions, and I support the wonderful growing diversity in our region, but I realise that holding one on this day is hurtful for some members of our community.”
All 11 councillors were contacted by the Geelong Advertiser yesterday to put forward their opinion on whether to keep the national day in late January or change it to another date.
Only Cr Ron Nelson offered a robust defence of the national day as Greens leader Richard di Natale attacked the tradition as representing the “ongoing genocide” and “slaughter” of Aboriginal people.
Geelong Mayor Bruce Har- wood said the issue was a federal matter and declined to offer his own personal thoughts.
“It’s not a discussion we’ve had in council. It’s really a matter for the Federal Government and the Federal Parliament,” Cr Harwood said.
Both Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have supported the January 26 status quo following moves by the Greens-led Yarra and Darebin councils in Melbourne and the Fremantle council in Western Australia to shift the date.
Cr Nelson said Geelong’s Australia Day ceremonies were inclusive events and should continue to be celebrated on January 26.
“Australia Day is a day for all Australians and I’ve attend- ed some wonderful events down at the waterfront acknowledging the Wathaurong people as well as cultures from around the world who have contributed to our country,” Cr Nelson said.
Cr Kylie Grzybek suggested the 1967 referendum anniversary as an alternative date for citizenship ceremonies.
“I think we need to keep Australia Day to celebrate all things Australia,” Cr Grzybek said. “But perhaps the citizenship ceremony that is held on this day should be moved to May 27 to recognise the day that Aboriginal people were formally known as Australian citizens.”
Cr Jim Mason referred questions on the matter to Cr Harwood and declined to comment on his personal view of Australia Day as did Cr Stephanie Asher.
Councillors Anthony Aitken, Eddy Kontelj, Pat Murnane, Peter Murrihy and Trent Sullivan did not respond in time for deadline.
Meanwhile, Australian tennis great Pat Cash weighed into the issue yesterday, claiming “the British landed here and started butchering the Aboriginal people”.
“If we want to have another day where the Aboriginal people and the real Australians — let’s talk facts. Most people are from Asia or from Europe — the real Australians are not going to celebrate the 26th January,” he told 3AW yesterday.
“If it’s the 28th January or the 30th January or 1st March, let’s do that.”
“While I appreciate that there are a number of celebrations planned for Australia Day in Geelong, I am personally ambivalent about whether I’ll be attending them.” CR SARAH MANSFIELD