Lama greeted with few MPs

Hamish Heard
Geelong councillors have braved political fallout and rough weather to greet the Dalai Lama while most of the region’s parliamentarians gave the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader a wide berth this week.
Seven of the city’s 12 councillors formally welcomed the leader of the Buddhist world at a civic reception during his visit to bless Drol Kar Buddhist Centre, at Paraparap, on Monday.
Labor federal Member for Corio Gavan O’Connor and Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield were the only two of Geelong’s six members of parliament to greet His Holiness at the civic reception.
Mr O’Connor’s federal Liberal counterpart in the seat of Corangamite, Stewart McArthur, joined Geelong’s three other state MPs who could not attend because of “prior engagements”.
“While I’m aware some political controversy might emanate from welcoming the Dalai Lama, attending these functions is the right thing,” Mr O’Connor said.
Mr Crutchfield said the Lama’s message of “tolerance and respect” must have found its mark on the audience, with Mr O’Connor and his political nemesis, Labor’s new candidate for Corio Richard Marles, managing to coattend without incident.
Mr Marles unseated Mr O’Connor during a bitter preselection battle last year.
His Holiness has been a hot political item over his stance on China’s occupation of his homeland, Tibet. The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959.
The Independent revealed in September that thenmayor Peter McMullin had no plans to offer the Lama a formal civic welcome because His Holiness had “not requested one”. But other councillors eventually convinced council to offer a civic reception.
Cr McMullin joined council colleagues Lou Brazier, Rod Macdonald, Shane Dowling and Tony Ansett in staying away from the reception.
Cr Barbara Abley described meeting the Lama as “inspirational”.
“To think this man could be construed as having an ulterior political agenda that precludes some of our country’s leaders from meeting beggars belief,” she said.
Member for Geelong Ian Trezise insisted he had no political motivations for failing to meet the Lama.
“I didn’t snub the Dalai Lama but when you’ve got a job like mine you’ve got to prioritise and spend long weekends with the family,” Mr Trezise said.
A spokesperson for Federal Member for Corio Stewart McArthur said “prior engagements” prevented his attendance.
Lara MP John Eren watched local girls’ soccer teams represent country Victoria at Shepparton.