Parramatta City Council, one of Sydney’s largest councils, has supported a motion to express support for the local Indian migrant community in response to Senator Jacinta Price’s comments on immigration.
Labor Councillor Michael Ng originally put forward the motion as a matter of emergency not long after Senator Price made the contentious comments accusing the Labor Party of importing voters through migration.
Ng’s motion included five parts—acknowledging the contribution of Indian Australians to the Parramatta community (the area has a large diaspora community), expressing strong support for them in the wake of Price’s comments, condemning Price’s comments as divisive and harmful, calling on Price to apologise, and affirming the council’s commitment to multiculturalism and social cohesion.
The motion passed the council’s ordinary meeting with two parts removed on Oct. 13. In a statement on Oct. 16 to The Epoch Times, the councillor said the situation demanded immediate action.
“Although the Lord Mayor [Martin Zaiter] suggested Council cannot do much on this issue, I believe that as civic leaders it is our duty to show support for the communities we represent,” he said.
“Words matter, and silence in the face of harmful rhetoric is not an option.”
In a separate joint statement with fellow Labor Councillor Patricia Prociv, Ng said he was proud of the Indian community.
“Since Senator Price’s remarks, we have received many messages from concerned members of the community. Irresponsible comments by political leaders not only hurt the communities we represent but also undermine the multicultural success story of Australia,” the joint statement read.
Ng pointed out that the Parramatta is home to Harris Park, a suburb also known as “Little India.”
Debate in Council Chambers
Liberal Councillor Sreeni Pillamarri did not support the motion.He told the meeting he was appreciative of it, but felt it was outside the council’s scope.
“I think we have got much more better issues to deal with, it is a federal issue and I don’t know why we need to bring it down near here,” he said.
“I feel you are trying to divide the community ...”
Pillamarri said time had elapsed and everything had been sorted in relation to the comments made by Price.
Liberal Councillor Steven Issa moved an amendment to the motion to remove conditions three and four—namely that Price’s comments be condemned as harmful and to call for a public apology from her.
The motion passed while retaining the three conditions of acknowledging the Indian community, expressing support for the Indian community, and affirming the council’s commitment to multiculturalism.
The Epoch Times contacted Senator Price for comment.
