Mayor blocks indigenous public holiday

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader was forced to use her casting vote to break a deadlock on a proposal for an extra public holiday during Christmas week to celebrate local indigenous culture.

The proposal was to declare December 19  “Widjabul Wia-bul Day” under the NSW Public Holiday Act.  The day is already marked by Lismore Council to celebrate a land rights court victory by their local indigenous clan in 2022.  The area covered by the native title claim includes parts of Ballina Shire.

The proposal was brought to council by the staff under General Manager Paul Hickey and championed by Greens Party Councillor Kiri Dicker who said she looked forward to celebrating the annual holiday with her daughter.

“Maybe we can collaborate with Lismore on joint celebrations.  It’s a day for people to learn about the claim and its significance,” she said.

Fellow Greens Party Councillor Simon Chate said the holiday would complement changes being made to the NSW schools curriculum next year which were “very heavy” in emphasising indigenous culture.

Independent Councillor Eva Ramsay led the debate against the holiday, saying there were already plenty of other days in the calendar such as NAIDOC Week, in which indigenous culture was celebrated.

“We should be celebrating our shared future, there should be no division in our country,” Cr Ramsey said.

Councillor Michelle Bailey, a business-owner, said having a public holiday in the week before Christmas was a big mistake and an alternative date should be found.

Cr Bailey pointed out there was previously a half day holiday for the Ballina Cup, which cost business but did not help the cup.

“None of the people (employees) went to the race.  We still had to pay staff double time and half to work on that day,” Cr Bailey said.

Cr Simon Kinny said some businesses would have no choice but to pay penalty rates to keep staff working, although different awards applied to different businesses.

COMMENT:  Our indigenous culture should be treasured and celebrated, but there is no shortage of opportunities already in the calendar to do that, as councillors pointed out.

In October 2023 more than 60 per cent of Ballina Shire residents voted NO to the Albanese Government’s Indigenous Voice proposal.  That result should embolden our elected representatives to take a stronger stand when woke public servants and the Greens Party seek to advance their political causes by trying to impose unwarranted policies based on division and guilt over Australia’s history.

Congratulations Councillor Eva Ramsey for being prepared to stand up for the people on this issue and calling a spade a spade.