Former mayor labels north shore mums ‘latte-sipping yummy mummies’ in email to colleagues

Former mayor labels north shore mums ‘latte-sipping yummy mummies’ in email to colleagues.

Cr Elaine Malicki used the term “latte-sniping north shore yummy mummies” in an email to her colleagues.

A Ku-ring-gai councillor claims plans for a major development in the area panders to the needs of the north shore’s “latte-sipping yummy mummies”.

The reference by Councillor Elaine Malicki was made in an email to her council colleagues last week, following a marathon council meeting which saw tempers flare over several issues including the Turramurra Community Hub Master Plan.

Cr Malicki subsequently wrote to councillors in reference to the debate on Turramurra and the future of a rezoned park, which she was among councillors trying to save as part of the area’s future.

In reference to council’s decision to rezone the park for possible future development, she said there were many generations of people in Ku-ring-gai with differing needs for open space than the “latte-sipping north shore yummy mummies”.

In response to the email which was directed at her, Councillor Chantelle Fornari-Orsmond said the comments showed contempt for women on the north shore.

“Now that is offensive to a lot of our residents,” Cr Fornari-Orsmond said in her email response.

“These latte-sipping north shore yummy mummies as you put it are volunteers in our community, in schools and non-for-profit organisations and contribute greatly to our social fabric.

“These are the people you are elected to represent.”

Councillor Elaine Malicki.

In response to questions from the North Shore Times, Cr Malicki said it was both “childish and shabby politics” to suggest she was talking about all north shore mothers.

“I am a north shore mother myself and my sons are married to north shore mums,” she said.

Cr Malicki said it would not have occurred to her to talk about “yummy mummies”, however she said Cr Fornari-Orsmond’s speech at last week’s council meeting “caricatured” her mothers group.

“According to Chantelle they all laugh at attempts by councillors to save a lovely little park next to Turramurra Station ... They prefer to be part of the action at the shopping hub than in a green park near the highway.”

Follow @Rebecca_Parish

Originally published as Former mayor labels north shore mums ‘latte-sipping yummy mummies’ in email to colleagues