Councillor Steve Christou of Western Sydney’s Cumberland City has taken to TikTok to express his condemnation of “continuous Welcome to Country ceremonies”.
Christou has also used the platform to release a number of short clips voicing his opposition to the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice’ campaign.
The campaign, which calls for an amendment to the Australian Constitution providing for the establishment of an official and permanent advisory body for First Nations people, is expected to be the subject of a referendum this year.
“I was born in Australia the son of Greek Cypriot refugees. Whilst attending school I have only ever known one flag and celebrated Australia Day proudly on January 26th,” Christou said in one of his Tik Tok videos.
@councillorstevechristou
Councillor Christou’s views have sparked debate on the contentious issue of Indigenous reconciliation with respect to Australia Day celebrations on 26 January.
The date, which marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and the raising of the British Union Flag by Arthur Phillip, has become increasingly derided by members of the community as debate on the moral implications of celebrating 26 January intensify.
“I’m sick and tired of the endless Welcome to Country ceremonies in my place of birth. One Flag, One Nation united,” the Councillor said.
He described the Albanese Government’s push to bring the issue of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament into the national forum through referendum as a “waste of time and insult to the Australian public.”
@councillorstevechristou
The videos received a mixed reaction, with comments on the clip condemning Welcome to Country ceremonies having been disabled.
However, comments on an earlier video outlining his opposition to the Voice campaign remain.
“Sit with our elders in communities and listen to their stories and experiences, have some compassion towards why we are like this every year…” one user said.
“Totally agree. One Australia not a divided nation. Vote no” and “You’re 100% right” said others.
“Anything other than this guy’s solo experience in NOT ON! What a shining example of unity & inclusion…” said another.
With no announcement regarding the proposed date of the referendum as yet, it seems likely discourse on the matter will only grow louder in the coming months.
