‘Arrogance’ label in nipaluna row

A TASMANIAN Aboriginal leader says the nipaluna/Hobart debacle could have been avoided if Aboriginal groups from across the state had been involved in the process.

South East Tasmania Aboriginal Corporation chairman Rodney Dillon said he supported a dual name for Hobart but was angry and disappointed the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre had acted on its own accord when it offered Hobart the name of nipaluna last week to mark Reconciliation Week.

“Why would you discuss it with a white man before you discussed it with the Aboriginal people?” Mr Dillon said.

Meanwhile, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre chief executive Heather Sculthorpe took issue with Alderman Marti Zucco for describing Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie’s vow to use the name at every opportunity as a “threat”.

Ald Zucco’s quote in Tuesday’s Mercury was: “Ald Christie’s constant threat to use the dual name and have the council agree with his intentions was a dramatic flop considering his mooted threats over the past days.”

She said Ald Zucco’s com- ments showed “disrespectful arrogance” to the Aboriginal community.

Ald Zucco denied he was being disrespectful.

“I have met with other Aboriginal groups and no one has accused me of being disrespectful,” he said.

“I was absolutely astonished [by Ms Sculthorpe’s accusation] because at no stage have I mentioned the TAC or Heather Sculthorpe in any of my comments.

“My comments have been directed at the actions of the Lord Mayor.”

Ms Sculthorpe said the fact no other Aboriginal name had been put forward for Hobart showed the comment that there had been no consultation was a furphy.

Mr Dillon said that was not true.

“We’d really like to have a dual name we can all agree on,” he said.

“Everyone has been beating their chest and blowing themselves up like bullfrogs.

“I’m all for dual naming but there has been no consultation with other Aboriginal groups.”

Ms Sculthorpe said the claim that many groups were concerned by the nipaluna name was another furphy.