He said that “it’s time this obsession of dividing the country stopped” and he also urged other elected representatives in local councils to stand up and “pull the plug” on these expensive and “over-used” activities.
“If re-elected in majority this year, I give a firm commitment that Welcome to Country and traditional Smoking Ceremonies will be axed as a matter of priority,” Cr Christou said.
“The people of Cumberland and Australia voted overwhelmingly to reject the Voice to Parliament Campaign with Cumberland City Council Local Government area recording one of the highest No Votes in the country.
“The message has been delivered loud and clear by our residents. It makes no sense to continue with an Indigenous policy that only represents roughly 0.63 per cent of the 240,000 residents that reside in the Cumberland Local Government area.
“Our focus will be on more accurately representing our diverse community in the issues that are affecting them, primarily cost of living and housing affordability.”
However, Cr Sabrin Farooqui said she was contacted by many residents, particularly from Regents Park Ward, who were “upset and disgusted seeing another divisive comment coming from him (Cr Christou)”.
“His comment definitely doesn’t reflect the value and sentiment of the residents of Cumberland,” she said.
“We believe in unity, not division.”
Stop Aboriginal protocol vow
WELCOME to Country and Smoking Ceremonies will be dumped if Cumberland Councillor and former Mayor Steve Christou’s Our Local Community party wins a majority at the Local Government Elections later this year.
