![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/Untitled-design-10-1-1-1024x538.png?_t=1733860409\")
<\/p>\n
He said the purpose of the motion was to \u201csimply confirm\u201d the proclamation of the date for Australia Day is the responsibility of the federal government, and claimed his own support last year for the council to alter its approach to January 26 was ill-informed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was not apparent to some of us that what we were actually doing was putting council in the position where we would no longer be acknowledging or recognising Australia Day on any day or any date,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended by a large group of protesters, who stood and turned their backs to Cr Kontelj while he was speaking.<\/p>\n
A small contingent also stood in support of the motion, and as the tension in the room increased, both groups directed insults at each other.<\/p>\n
Cr Emma Sinclair proposed an alternate motion during tonight\u2019s meeting, urging the council to stand by last year\u2019s resolution.<\/p>\n
It was voted down, again seven votes to four, with Crs Wilkinson, Aitken and Cadwell all in support.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been progress to reconciliation,\u201d Cr Sinclair said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t let this council be the group that closes that door.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m worried that we\u2019ve begun to confuse making informed and ethical decisions with making a decision that has popular consensus.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/21\/2024\/12\/DSC04024-1024x683.jpg\")