Indigenous leader Russell Saunders speaks out after two MidCoast councillors chose not to stand for acknowledgement of country

Indigenous Elder Russell Saunders OAM has called for unity after two new MidCoast councillors “failed to show basic respect for our culture and our beliefs as the first people of this land”.

Taree's Russell Saunders OAM was disappointed two newly elected MidCoast councillors refused to stand for acknowledgment of country.

Indigenous Elder Russell Saunders OAM has called for unity after two new MidCoast councillors “failed to show basic respect for our culture and our beliefs as the first people of this land”.

Mr Saunders, a church pastor and well-known Biripi artist, said he was not pleased two councillors from The Libertarian Party did not stand for the standard acknowledgment of country at their first meeting last Wednesday.

“I am disappointed that people who have been sworn in to represent all people, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, failed to show basic respect for our culture and our beliefs as the first people of this land,” he said.

“We don’t need this. Stand up together and show that you support all people.”

MidCoast Councillor Mal McKenzie was one of the newly elected Libertarian councillors who failed to stand for the acknowledgment to country.

Support for The Libertarian Party was strong in the MidCoast Council elections, with their top three candidates securing seats on the 11-person council.

Michael Graham, a farm worker from Mooral Creek, is joined by Phillip Beazley and Mal McKenzie.

Prior to the first council order of business on October 9 – voting among themselves for mayor and deputy – most councillors rose for the acknowledgment to recognise traditional owners and their ongoing connection with the land.

Both Mr Graham and Mr McKenzie refused to stand. Fellow Libertarian Mr Beazley appeared on screen for the meeting as he was overseas.

Newly elected Libertarian councillor Michael Graham and Claire Pontin who was appointed mayor at the October 9 meeting.

Mr Graham has been contacted for comment, but did not return calls. In what’s emerging as a familiar pattern, his wife Kate Geddes responded to Facebook criticism on his behalf.

“Some people sit to sing hymns of praise to our Amazing God, some stand,” she posted.

“Most people sit during Anzac Day services – some stand to pay their respects for our Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldiers who fought and died serving ALL (sic) Australians.”

Mr McKenzie told this publication that welcomes and acknowledgments of this kind are “racist and divisive” and that he will continue to exercise his right not to stand.

“It’s a ridiculous concept,” Mr McKenzie said.

“No insult is meant to Aboriginal people at all.”

He says the majority of people he has spoken to since the meeting agree with his stance and have thanked him for showing leadership.

MidCoast councillor Alan Tickle.

Mr Graham was one of three councillors nominated for mayor along with previous mayor Claire Pontin and previous deputy Allan Tickle.

Out of the 11 councillors elected for the term, six are new to the role, including the three Libertarians.

When voting got underway via a show of hands it was a close call, with Ms Pontin and Mr Graham on four votes each and Mr Tickle knocked out of the race.

Eventually Ms Pontin was the winner with seven votes to Mr Graham’s three.

Thomas O’Keefe abstained from the vote for mayor. He is a local journalist and when asked by this publication about any potential conflict of interest, he said he would not be covering council.

“Regarding my role with the NOTA (News Of The Area) – as the election got underway, I was limited in what I could write about; namely anything related to council was considered a conflict of interest,” he said.

“Going forward from here, I cannot see that situation changing.”

The MidCoast Council building on Manning River Drive south of Taree in the former Masters Building. Picture: Facebook

Returning councillor Jeremy Miller was voted deputy mayor.

Mr Saunders thanked councillors who did stand for the acknowledgment.

“I know our people are appreciative of that. Your actions, at least, lighten some of the heartache we have had in the past in our fight for justice to be recognised as human beings in the country we have lived in for thousands of years,” he said.

“We can walk together, talk together, laugh together and even cry together. This is what it’s all about, we are all one here. Don’t divide us.”

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