Letter to the editor | Greater Shepparton City Council reignites Australia Day debate

In this meeting, council voted almost unanimously to set the cause of reconciliation back 50 years, overturning a motion passed in late 2023 to not fund Australia Day celebration on what is for Aboriginal people a day of mourning.

The one councillor who opposed the motion spoke fluently with great articulation, compassion and understanding.

All the other councillors, especially the one moving the motion, made speeches that, had they stopped to reflect, were actually cogent arguments in favour of a No vote.

Thus, their oft-stated opinion that 26 January could be a day of healing and reconciliation reeked of hypocrisy and weasel words.

Social justice took a mighty hit.