Townsville City Council rejects proposal to build Julian Assange statue

Townsville City Council have rejected a controversial proposal to erect a statue in honour of Julian Assange, with one councillor alleging the activist had “put lives at risk.”

Townsville City Council have rejected a proposal to erect a statue of Julian Assange, with one councillor alleging the activist had “put lives at risk”. Only Mayor Troy Thompson and Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob, insets, voted in favour of exploring the issue further.

Townsville City Council have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to build a statue to honour Julian Assange, with one elected representative alleging the activist had damaged Australia’s diplomatic relationships and “put lives at risk”.

Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob presented the council with an e-petition signed by 156 people calling for a statue of the controversial Townsville-born figure to be placed prominently in the city to “recognise the valuable contribution to providing truth to the world”.

Mr Jacob said the petition was established by Alison Mason of Balgal Beach to recognise Mr Assange’s “valuable contribution to provide truth to the world”.

“We the undersigned request that the council give consideration to providing a site on The Strand looking towards Magnetic Island and helping with site works to position a crowd-funded statue of Julian Assange on the Strand.”

Mayor Troy Thompson said the council had to vote on whether to reject the petition, receive the petition and take no further action or that the council explore the issue further and report back for further consideration.

Townsville City Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney voted for the council to reject receiving the petition to build a statue to honour Julian Assange. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Jacob said he was personally in favour of option three.

Councillor Andrew Robinson said he was strongly opposed.

“Whilst being a truth seeker, the reckless way in which he has presented that information has put individuals’ lives at risk,” he said.

“He has certainly undone a number of years’ worth of diplomacy and diplomatic relationships that Australia has with other nations, and to be honest, has been tried as for espionage.”

Councillor Ann-Maree Greaney went further, arguing that the petition should be rejected outright.

“I can think of a thousand people in our community who are hardworking and deserve a statue on The Strand other than Julian Assange,” she said.

Only Mr Thompson and Mr Jacob voted in favour of exploring the issue further, with councillors Robinson and Greaney and Kristian Price rejecting acknowledging the petition entirely.

The motion to accept the petition but take no further action was passed.

Originally published as Townsville City Council rejects proposal to build Julian Assange statue