Burnside Council in right royal brouhaha over two little portraits
BURNSIDE Council has had its fair share of scandals and dysfunction. But it’s this latest quibble they think you’ll find “offensive”.
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QUEEN Elizabeth II will once more take pride of place at Burnside Council after elected members agreed it was “offensive” not to display her image in their chambers.
The council voted 10:2 last week to re-hang a portrait of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in the council’s Greenhill Rd chambers.
The portraits, that once hung alongside the Burnside emblem behind the mayor’s seat, were moved to a stairwell in the council’s civic centre after the chambers were renovated earlier this year.
Cr Graham Bills last week said “hiding” the portraits showed a “lack of respect” for Australia’s past.
“It is offensive,” Cr Bills told the meeting.
“This council was formed in 1856 and since then we have always respected the Commonwealth heads of state.
“To lose that identity is a little bit disrespectful.”
Cr Peter Cornish disagreed, saying the royal family had no connection to local government in Australia.
Cr Cornish — who declared he was a “strong monarchist” — jokingly suggested the council instead pay homage to the State Government.
“We are at the behest of the government — perhaps a photograph of the Minister for Local Government is more appropriate?” Cr Cornish said, prompting laughter from his colleagues and the public gallery.