Macquarie Street Foodstore defaced by vandals

A Hobart City councillor was disappointed to discover vandals had defaced his cafe, but he’s extended an invitation to those responsible. SEE WHY >>

City of Hobart councillor Mike Dutta outside his shop at South Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Hobart City councillor Mike Dutta says he was disappointed to discover vandals had defaced his cafe this week, but he’s extended an invitation to those responsible.

Mr Dutta’s cafe, Macquarie Steet Foodstore, was vandalised days ago, in what Mr Dutta has described as a ‘cowardly act’.

In permanent marker on the front of the store was written “DUTTA MOST HATED IN HOBART B***ARD!” and “DUTTA HATE”.

“I find this to be quite shameful,” Mr Dutta said.

“It’s uncalled for, it’s unwarranted.”

Mr Dutta believed the vandalism was in response to comments he’d made at Monday’s council meeting about holding citizenship ceremonies on January 26, after he said there were many new citizens who did not want to celebrate on the date.

“I spoke quite passionately about my own situation with gaining my citizenship, it wasn’t on Australia Day,” Mr Dutta said.

City of Hobart councillor Mike Dutta outside his shop at South Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

It’s not the first time Mr Dutta’s shop has been targeted.

“The previous time it was when we were debating the Crowther statue and I copped a lot of these statements and hatred against me,” he said.

“It appear whenever I take a stand on issues like that, I get people who come and vandalise my shop.

“Nothing like this happens to my other elected members … they are quite ready to attack me because of my colour, that’s the only conclusion I can jump to.”

But Mr Dutta said he would welcome the opportunity to communicate with those responsible.

“If they are able to write to me, communicate with me, I’m quite happy to meet with them for coffee or anywhere they are comfortable and share my views frankly and honestly,” Mr Dutta said.

“If we differ, we differ as mature people.

“We live in a country where there is diversity, not only racial diversity but diversity of opinions and ideas and ideological positions.

“We need to understand and tolerate and live with each other.”