By Casey Neill
“Now we’re going to open a tent city in Harmony Square?“
Greater Dandenong councillor Tim Dark slammed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as “wishy washy”, lacking in action and too expensive during a heated exchange at the Monday 27 November meeting.
“It doesn’t go to the true issues facing the indigenous population,” he said. “It beats around the bush.”
But Councillor Angela Long said: “He’s opposing anything that’s indigenous.”
“I’m flabbergasted that this has happened again,” she said.
“I’m just so upset that you are once again against our indigenous people.”
It followed Cr Dark arguing for a motion about flying the Torres Strait Islander flag at the Dandenong Civic centre to be deferred, and then abstaining from voting on the matter when it returned to council.
Cr Maria Sampey quietly said “what’s wrong with it?” when Cr Dark indicated his opposition this time around.
Cr Long was much louder in questioning his motives.
“I don’t understand opposition to this,” she said.
“It’s a RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) that has three key themes – relationships, respect, and opportunities for our indigenous people.
“I believe it’s his personal opinion and not anything else.
“Everyone had the opportunity to attend the first reconciliation forum.
“Why did you not attend if you had so many things that you wanted to explore?
“You didn’t say anything.”
She suggested that his abstention on the flag issue equated to a no vote, sparking calls from Cr Dark for an apology and withdrawal of the “derogatory” comment.
He asked CEO John Bennie to review what was said and to clarify whether his abstention was recorded as a no-vote.
Cr Dark said “there wasn’t much in terms of substance offered by Cr Long in that debate” and also accused the document itself of lacking substance.
“This action plan is all words. There’s no action,” he said.
Cr Dark said the plan did nothing to address health or literacy and numeracy issues and would cost too much to implement.
“There’s no direct action. There’s no strategic targets set,” he said.
He said the plan included staff training days “for things they can learn well and truly in their own time“ and noting that a welcome to country take place at significant events.
“We’re already doing that,” he said.
Cr Sean O’Reilly said: “I don’t know how you have more action without increasing an alleged cost blowout. Those seem kind of opposite.”
He said this was the first time Cr Dark had raised objections to the plan, despite attending workshops on its production.
“We shouldn’t try to stop the whole thing right at the last point,” he said.
“Indigenous culture should be prized, treasured, sustained and nurtured.
“This council should do its part to do those things.”
Cr Matthew Kirwan said Greater Dandenong served as a centre for indigenous people in the region.
He said the certificates on the council chamber walls showed “a proud history of recognising indigenous residents”.
The framed collection includes a statement of apology signed in 1998.
“We’re known as a leader in reconciliation,” he said.
