Cairns mayor Terry James recommits council to Australia Day

The four mayoral candidates for Cairns Regional Council were asked where they stood on Australia Day. Here’s how they responded.

Three mayoral candidates have said they will embrace and promote Australia Day if elected, while one other said he was undecided.

Cairns Regional Council removed the wording “Australia Day” from promotion of its events happening on Friday, January 26, and moved its citizen of the year award ceremony, which was traditionally tied to Australia Day celebrations, to February 1.

Independent mayoral candidate Paul Taylor said he would embrace the Australia Day holiday as mayor if elected.

Cairns Regional Council is busy preparing three family fun days at council swimming pools on Australia Day, with Woree Sports and Aquatic Centre hosting a council event for the first time. Cairns Stingrays swimming club president Jason Salecich and aqua aerobics participant Joy Brown get served an Australia Day Sausage from Cairns Mayor Terry James as Aquafit instructor Karen Skudder watches on. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I think Australia Day can bring all Aussies together, regardless of background,” Mr Taylor said.

“A well led council should be delivering a vision that encapsulates what the majority want. A council led by me would not subscribe the community to ideology that divides us by rejecting Australia Day.”

The council will host “family fun” events at Tobruk Pool, Marlin Coast Swimming and Fitness and Woree Sports and Aquatic Centre on Friday.

Cairns mayor Terry James said he gave orders to reinstate the words “Australia Day” to event promotional material after enquiries from the Cairns Post.

Aqua aerobics participants Ingid Bondeson, Gloria Kragt and Cathy Aitken are ready to fly the flag this Australia Day, with free aquafit classes being held at Woree pool. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Council is not distancing itself (from Australia Day) whatsoever. The messaging seems to have come out wrong and (the Cairns Post) brought that to my attention yesterday. When it was brought to my attention I asked for it to be changed,” Mr James said.

“Australia Day, as far as I’m concerned, is January 26, and I’ll put it to the new council, if I’m elected mayor, that’s exactly how it will stay.”

Mayoral candidate Paul Taylor said he would embrace Australia Day as mayor if he was elected. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mayoral candidate Denis Walls, who leads the Community First Team, said he was undecided on the matter and would consult with his fellow councillors and the council’s First Nations Advisory Committee about the most appropriate option regarding Australia Day celebrations.

“I will listen to what the community says, the councillors say and particularly what the First Nations Advisory Committee says in the event I am elected mayor,” Mr Walls said.

Mayoral candidate Denis Walls said he was undecided if he would embrace Australia Day as mayor, if elected, but he would come to a decision after consulting councillors and the council’s First Nations Advisory Committee. Picture: Supplied

“As mayor I would seek to be much more open about information sharing with fellow councillors as well as Australians of all persuasions … about what was appropriate for January 26.”

Division 5 councillor and mayoral candidate Amy Eden said she was committed to “bigger and better events” that embraced the Australia Day theme.

Mayoral candidate Amy Eden said she was committed to “bigger and better” events that embraced the Australia Day theme. Picture: Brendan Radke

“An Eden-led council will commit to bigger and better events embracing and celebrating Australia Day on Australia Day to be enjoyed by the whole community,” Ms Eden said.

“I enjoy attending these events and celebrating the many local legends and community groups who contribute so much to our community.”

On Tuesday, Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger said councillors were blindsided by the decision to strip the words “Australia Day” from January 26 events, as well as moving the traditional awards ceremony to a later date.

Council’s CEO Mica Martin said the wording “Australia Day” was still being used in “some” promotional material, with a consistent focus on free family fun.

“The promotion of Australia Day events and the format of the Citizen of the Year Awards was done in close consultation with mayor Bob Manning last year. The approach was very successful,” Ms Mica said.

Originally published as Cairns mayor Terry James recommits council to Australia Day