Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith silences Christian prayer protest

Adelaide Council’s rowdy row over the dumping of a pre-meeting Christian prayer has fallen silent after the Mayor left no room for an outcry at the latest meeting.

After four months of debate the Adelaide City Council has ended controversy over the Christian prayer that has been traditionally read before every meeting.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith has effectively silenced the controversy by merging the traditional commemorative silence to pay tribute war veterans with the Christian prayer.

On Tuesday night, renegade Councillor Henry Davis — who has protested the change by reciting aloud a Christian prayer — was awkwardly silenced by the new move.

Without warning, Dr Lomax-Smith at Tuesday night’s meeting requested religious reflection, but at the same time as the traditional silence for veterans, forcing Cr Davis to remain silent.

“I now ask Members to take a moment of quiet contemplation of the gravity and implications of our decision-making in a manner appropriate to their beliefs,’’ she told The Advertiser of the change.

Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis. Picture: Supplied

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“Furthermore, I ask all those present to stand in silence in memory of those who gave their lives in defence of their Country, at sea, on land and in the air.”

The battle of wills started when the council administration in February suggested a change to the lengthy meeting preamble process, including dumping the prayer.

The move was rejected but Dr Lomax-Smith has been finding ways around the problem using her powers, instead of changing rules.

Councillor Davis continued to protest for his rights following the new manoeuvre on Tuesday night.

He has maintained it is his Christian practice to recite a prayer, and has only done so in keeping with his faith.

“The Mayor is trying to wield a power she does not have which is to rearrange the agenda without a motion from council,’’ he said.

“I am getting threats of being kicked out of the meeting and codes of conduct being raised against me.

“The Mayor has tried every trick in the book to avoid this (administration suggestion) agenda item.”

Cr Davis said he supported a multi-faith option which could be read out before meetings, but this had never been acted on.

He said any changes should be put as policy items to the council and discussed with the voters, not by the powers of the Lord Mayor.

“The last option, which should have been the first option, is to put a motion to council and do it properly and legally,’’ Cr Davis said.

“The Mayor might dislike religion, but these traditions shouldn’t be swept under the carpet without the consent of the chamber and discussion with our community.

“This is woke cancel culture gone mad and it’s a threat to our democracy and our freedoms.”