MEDIA RELEASE
09/12/2024
GREENS SAY GEELONG COUNCILLOR’S MOVE TO REINSTATE JAN 26 CELEBRATIONS IS HURTFUL AND DISRESPECTFUL
Greater Geelong City Councillor Eddy Kontelj will put forward a motion to repeal the council’s decision to no longer celebrate January 26, a move the Greens say is incredibly hurtful to First Nations communities in Geelong and disrespects the extensive consultation process that the council undertook to establish this reform only last year.
The council made a unanimous decision in 2023 to stop celebrating the colonisation of Australia after a long, deliberative process that sought engagement from all corners of the community, particularly First Nations people.
Greens MLC for Western Victoria and former Greater Geelong city councillor Dr. Sarah Mansfield was involved in developing the consultation process with the council and communities to better reflect what the community wants.
Dr. Mansfield said that this motion would walk back on the agreed outcomes resulting from this process which would be incredibly disappointing for all those who worked so hard on this, but also most importantly would be extremely hurtful to First Nations people in Geelong.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SARAH MANSFIELD
“It is bewildering to see this notice of motion being put forward. This is a cynical move that shows an incredible lack of sensitivity to Geelong’s First Nations people, and a lack of respect for the broader community.
“Council’s unanimous decision last year to change the way they acknowledge 26th January followed years of very careful and considered consultation. In my view, Cr Kontelj’s dismissal of that process is disingenuous and disrespectful to all those who took part. He was part of the council that oversaw and approved that process and its outcomes – so one has to ask, why is he doing this now?
“Councils all over the country are changing the way they acknowledge 26th January, and Geelong is finally catching up. If Council supports this notice of motion it will not only undo years of careful work, it will take Geelong backwards. This will deeply hurt many members of our community, and I urge councillors to reject it.
