THE HEAD of Riverina’s eastern-based councils has delivered a scathing blow to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) over its proposal to change Australia Day’s date.
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Temora mayor and Riverina Eastern Regional Organisations of Councils (REROC) chairman Rick Firman withdrew his shire from the ALGA conference this week due to an assessment of value against cost, but also cited a “poisonous” political and city centric mentality.
He is furious that councils are lobbying for “fringe issues” instead of important matters such as funding and federal government contributions.
“In my view, some metropolitan based local government areas across the country are frankly over stepping the mark, delving into these sorts of areas that are outside our remit.” Mr Firman said.
“ALGA has a place, however, it need not be an organisation which prizes party politics as ‘Lord and Master’.
“Local government is here for one reason, and that is to do our very best for our communities which we proudly serve”.
He also weighed in on the controversial debate, citing a need for Australians to be able to celebrate their identity.
“Certainly in the world today, and in Australia, we need to look at any excuse to appropriately celebrate who we are and what we stand for as proud Australians,” he said.
“In my opinion, this sort of continuous talk only seeks to divide us, which we don’t want.”
Controversial Wagga Aboriginal activist Joe Williams took exception to Mr Firman’s views, claiming the scheduling of Australia Day glorified bloodshed and torture.
“It celebrates bloodshed, torture and the beginning of the end for Aboriginal people,” Mr Williams said.
“It’s a painful reminder that we weren’t even classed as people until 1967, we were classed as animals.
“Do you ask the Jews to celebrate the Holocaust? No, you don't.”
In a close 64-62 vote on Tuesday, council representatives at the annual ALGA National General Assembly voted to back a Hobart City Council motion to lobby the government for a date change.
“To my knowledge, none of my fellow councils have publicly entered into this debate wearing our councillors hat,” Mr Firman said.
Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce slammed calls for a date change, claiming it’s “political correctness gone mad” and said he’s sick of feeling guilty for celebrating Australia.