Matt Hewson
Geelong council voted to stand by the decision it made earlier this year on January 26, despite efforts by councillor Eddy Kontelj to resurrect the debate.
In May this year Geelong council resolved to no longer refer to January 26 as Australia Day, to schedule citizenship ceremonies around the day rather than on it and to promote education around the history of the date.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s council meeting Cr Kontelj gave a notice of motion seeking the rest of the council’s support to reopen the debate publicly and “complete further extensive community consultation”.
He cited the community’s “strong backlash and concern” around the “insignificant sample size” of six-month period of community engagement conducted prior to the council’s May decision.
In Mayor Trent Sullivan’s opening address, he made it plain that regardless of the outcome of the notice of motion, no changes would be made to the way the City would mark January 26 in 2024.
Members of the public attended the meeting to voice their disappointment at the notice of motion, with Greens member and former councillor Dr Sarah Mansfield submitting a question disparaging the motion.
Given the “considerable interest” in the item, Mayor Sullivan brought the notice of motion ahead in proceedings, however, Cr Kontelj had no opportunity to press his claims.
As Cr Kontelj moved the motion, seconded by Cr Ron Nelson, the gallery erupted, shouting their disapproval.
Before Cr Kontelj could speak on the matter, Cr Peter Murrihy raised a procedural motion for closure, seeking to move directly to a vote on the matter without debate.
Cr Murrihy’s motion was seconded by Cr Elise Wilkinson and then passed by a margin of six to five, also supported by Crs Melissa Cadwell, Bruce Harwood, Jim Mason and Belinda Moloney.
Cr Kontelj’s original motion was then immediately put to the vote and soundly defeated, with only he and Cr Nelson voting in the affirmative.
The gallery then voiced first its approval of the result, followed by its anger at Crs Kontelj and Nelson.
Cr Kontelj called for a division, but all councillors stood by their original votes.
