Tiananmen Square anniversary motion divides Whitehorse Council

A push to recognise the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre has divided a council in Melbourne’s east. And it comes just weeks after Melbourne City Council controversially withdrew a motion to acknowledge the occasion.

Cr Barker said Tank Man had reminded him of the importance of democratic rights.

A push to recognise the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre has divided a council in Melbourne’s east just weeks after Melbourne City Council controversially withdrew a motion to acknowledge the occasion.

Heated debate ensued at Whitehorse Council’s June 24 meeting when Cr Blair Barker pushed for the council to extend its “condolences, sympathy and respect to the families of those who lost their lives and who continue to suffer” 30 years on from the massacre in China’s Tiananmen Square.

Cr Barker brought the issue to the council after a motion to commemorate the anniversary was taken off the agenda of Melbourne City Council’s June 4 meeting just five minutes before it began.

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There was speculation the Chinese Consulate had been involved with the council’s decision to retract the item, with the consulate having contacted Lord Mayor Sally Capp before the meeting.

Cr Blair Barker pushed for the council to pay its respects to those affected by the anniversary.

Cr Barker shared his plans to raise the motion ahead of the meeting, announcing on Facebook: “I’ll always say the things that need to be said”.

When he urged fellow councillors to support his push at the meeting on June 24 he pointed to the significant Chinese population in Whitehorse, saying he was not looking to criticise the Chinese government, but wanted to acknowledge the suffering.

“I’ll never forget watching Tank Man, I was 17,” he said.

“Tank Man reminded me of how precious democratic rights and courage are.”

“As a council we have a duty to ensure that hope cannot be extinguished.”

But most councillors refused to support the push, with many saying it was out of the council’s jurisdiction.

A protester pleads with an officer not to crackdown on the student demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. Photo: Peter Turnley

Cr Andrew Davenport said the council “shouldn’t be inserting (itself) in international affairs”.

“We should be fully focusing on our local community,” he said.

Cr Tina Liu agreed: “We are first and foremost local government.”

Councillors Ben Stennett and Denise Massoud said the council could not comment on all milestones and tragedies around Australia and the world, while Cr Raylene Carr said it was not fair Cr Barker had put councillors in the position of having to comment on the motion.

Only one councillor, Andrew Munroe, voted with Cr Barker.

Cr Munroe said he was concerned the issue was not one for local government, but voted to support the motion.

“Around the world I am concerned federal governments are not standing up to the Chinese Government,” he said.

Cr Barker said he was disappointed by councillors’ “breathtaking” misunderstanding of local government.

“There’s a really a stunning lack of understanding of the local government act,” he said.

“I remind councillors there’s no ratepayer money being spent on this.”