A gallery full of people with a vested interest in local Aboriginal affairs waited for hours to hear the verdict on a matter at Shoalhaven City Council last night.
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Most had hoped councillors would back the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’.
The treaty calls for constitutional change – national support of the treaty would result in more power for Indigenous people in federal political matters.
However, a majority of Shoalhaven Councillors voted against the recommendation, which called on council to endorse the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and make representations to the Prime Minister, Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Opposition Leader about council’s stance.
Members of the gallery are not permitted to speak during council meetings, but when the decision was reached, a chorus of residents reacted, saying, “shame” and “we will never forget this.”
Residents also reacted to Cr Joanna Gash, who said it was “far too early” to consider supporting the treaty.
“It’s been 230 years!” a resident said.
Cr Bob Proudfoot shared Cr Gash’s sentiment.
“I put up both hands to support the Aboriginal community,” he said.
“But racism is still alive and kicking in the Shoalhaven.
“If I thought there was proper engagement with the community on this matter, then I’d put up both hands to support it.
“But we have to take people with us.”
Mayor Amanda Findley said Crs Proudfoot and Gash were missing the point.
“The consultation we did was about making sure Aboriginal people agree with this motion,” Cr Findley said.
“Supporting this motion will allow us to make a representation to our federal government to say we want our community to move forward in a spirit of reconciliation.”
Vote breakdown
FOR: Crs Findley, Nina Cheyne, Kaye Gartner, Annette Alldrick, John Levett
AGAINST: Crs Gash, John Wells, Patricia White, Andrew Guile, Mitchell Pakes, Greg Watson, Proudfoot
ABSENT: Cr Mark Kitchener