Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre call for Louise Elliot to be sacked over ‘downright racist’ comments

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has called for a Hobart City Councillor to be sacked over “downright racist” comments made on social media. What was said.

The William Crowther statue in Franklin Square Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre is calling for a vocal councillor to be stood down over “racist” comments made about Aboriginal Tasmanians, ahead of the final vote on the statue of William Crowther.

The last step in the process for the statue to be taken down is for the Hobart City planning committee to grant a permit for the removal, a vote which will take place on Wednesday.

Public debate and discussion had been ongoing while the process has been underway, but it’s the recent comments of Hobart City councillor Louise Elliot which have been called out.

Ms Elliot has been a vocal supporter of keeping the Franklin Square statue standing.

On Friday, Ms Elliot again opposed the removal of the statue.

Hobart City Councillor Louise Elliot. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Well that puts pretty much EVERYTHING that colonisation brought on the chopping block,” she said on Facebook.

“Surely people wouldn’t be so hypocritical as to take a statue but leave the hospitals, antibiotics, schools, clothing, agriculture, manufacturing, construction, written language, law..... and more that white man’s arrival brought to Tasmania?

“[Some people are] determined to try and induce guilt and shame, all while toddling around with (likely fake) designer handbags and soaking up all that today’s world has to offer.”

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell said Ms Elliot’s comments were deeply racist.

“She’s gone so far as to deny Aboriginal people the right to access healthcare and education, as a result of speaking out about Aboriginal issues,” Ms Mansell said.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign manager Nala Mansell. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Healthcare in this state is there to fix the disease that were brought here by colonisation,” she said

“Her comments were downright racist.”

Ms Mansell called on the Hobart City Council to investigate Ms Elliot’s conduct.

“I’m shocked an elected leader would make such openly racists statements,” Ms Mansell said.

“It’s one thing for an elected leader to express an opinion about statue removal, when she’s suggesting the invasion of our lands are something we should be grateful for, that’s when the line’s crossed.”

“We would ask her personal attacks and racist comments be looked into and she be stood down as an elected leader.”

Ms Elliot’s comments attracted the attention of Upper House MP Sarah Lovell.

“These comments from a person in a position of leadership in our community are not ok,” Ms Lovell said on social media.

“This person seems determined to push division on a number of issues. It’s downright dangerous and it needs to be called out.”

Labor MLC Sarah Lovell. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ms Elliot said she stood by her comments.

“I fully stand by my comments. I have no interest in being politically correct and bowing to woke peer group pressure,” Ms Elliot said.

“I have more of a backbone than that.

“I’ll say what I think and many people agree with me. I get messages of encouragement every single day.

“Unlike most, I’m not afraid of losing votes or my seat. Saying what needs to be said and standing up for what I think is right matters much more to me that playing it safe politically for my own self preservation.”