Wyndham council has decided to not ask the federal government what it should do on Australia Day.
On Tuesday February 24, councillors debated what issues Wyndham would raise at the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) National General Assembly in June.
An officer’s report recommended advocating to address the crisis of loneliness through federal housing mechanisms; and calling for national leadership on the observance of Australia Day to be put to the federal government.
While the loneliness section of the motion raised no eyebrows, Cr Peter Maynard said he found it ridiculous that a motion could go to ALGA asking the federal government what Wyndham could do on Australia Day.
“It is up to the federal government to decide when that day is, but I will not be told what we as a group of councillors ….. can do on Australia Day,” Cr Maynard said.
“It’s just bizarre that we would ask a government to tell us what we can do… and that is being nice.”
Cr Jennie Barrera agreed with Cr Maynard, but said it was important to point out to the public that the council officers that draft motions do so at the request of councillors.
Speaking in favour of keeping Australia Day as part of the motion, Cr Jasmine Hill said that the mixed responses to 26 January among different local governments was a source of confusion for newcomers.
“It is very confusing as a migrant, and a lot of migrants come to me and say it’s so confusing,” Cr Hill said.
“If you celebrate and somebody is actually offended, it is very hard to navigate.”
She said the councils are burdened with the consequences of mixed reactions without the authority to change it.
“Councils are left to manage community division… we are left to manage media scrutiny and political debate for a decision we did not make.”
The original motion was voted against 10 to one, with councillors voting instead to keep the loneliness component and ditch the Australia Day request.
