A local council has become the latest to announce it is spending ratepayers’ money to back a Yes vote in the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum.
Randwick Council, in Sydney‘s eastern suburbs, allocated $28,900 to backing the Yes campaign, but the sum is dwarfed by its next door neighbour council, City of Sydney, which plans to spend more than $500,000.
Shadow Indigenous Australians minister Jacinta Price slammed the City of Sydney, accusing it of being ‘inner city elites’ wasting money on ‘propaganda’.
Labor councillor Linda Scott said she supported backing the Yes campaign because it represents ‘the views of our community’ in the city of Sydney.
But Randwick Liberal councillor Christie Hamilton said it was ‘detrimental for us to push one particular side’, and she also called Greens councillor Philipa Veitch ‘an absolute disgrace’ in a very loud and heated debate.
Labor councillor Linda Scott (pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) said she supported backing Yes and spending $500,000 of ratepayers’ money on it because it represents ‘the views of our community’ in the city of Sydney
Councils spending ratepayers’ money on only one side of the referendum is not just limited to NSW, with Fremantle in WA planning to spend $35,500 endorsing it.
And in March, City of Melbourne councillors backed the Yes campaign, with Lord Mayor Sally Capp boasting it was the first capital city council to do so.
The Melbourne vote was unanimous, but there has been huge dissent in other councils and waves of anger from ratepayers who want the money spent elsewhere.
It was revealed in May, City of Sydney would be spending $500,000 to support the Voice with the package including $260,000 for a communications and engagement campaign, $160,000 for banners and up to $90,000 to support community events in landmark council venues such as Town Hall.
Library resources will also be allocated to the Yes campaign, community workshops will be held and $20,000 in fees for booking community centres are being waived.
Liberal councillor Shauna Jarrett said the council’s support would mean parties from ‘other sides of the campaign’ would not be able to use council facilities.
‘In its current forum, this memorandum would only enable a campaign for one side of the voice and directly fund only one group from within the community,’ she said.
Ms Price, who is firmly opposed to the Voice, said Sydney City Council’s funding pledge was ‘inexcusable’ during a cost of living crisis.
‘This is just another example of inner city elites wasting time and money to make themselves feel good with no regard or for the real problems facing Indigenous people in rural and remote Australia,’ she said.
‘Sydney City Council needs a wake up call, they need to get back to the local matters they were elected to deal with.’
Randwick Liberal councillor Christie Hamilton (pictured) said it was ‘detrimental for us to push one particular side’, and she also called Greens councillor Philipa Veitch ‘an absolute disgrace’ in a very loud and heated debate
Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley agreed, saying councils should focus on rates, rubbish and roads.
‘The upcoming referendum is an opportunity for the Australian people to have their say. Private organisations and companies will take positions and that is up to them,’ she said.
‘But the second we start to see rates collected by councils being misdirected from hardworking Australians to these campaigns, we are on a very slippery slope.
‘It can’t be right that ratepayer money is being misused in this way and I just urge state and local governments to have a bit of respect in not imposing their views on the constituents they serve – this is for Australians to decide, not governments.’
Ordinary ratepayers have also lambasted the use of their money on federal rather than local issues.
‘Municipal councils should keep out of Federal politics and keep to roads, sanitation, footpaths, gardens, parks and other community amenities,’ one said.
Shadow Indigenous Australians minister Jacinta Price (pictured) slammed the City of Sydney Council, accusing it of being ‘inner city elites’ wasting money on ‘propaganda’
‘I don’t believe most rate payers would expect, or approve of, their money being used for such a political purpose,’ another posted online.
Another poster spoke for many in writing ‘Bloody disgraceful. These woke councils need to be thrown out.’
Others said it was unfair to back just one side. ‘Councils’ role is to deliver services to their communities without prejudice,’ said one.
Another angry ratepayer wrote that ‘No f****** way is this right, how can a council funded by ratepayers dollars be taking sides in a referendum.’
