Cumberland Council’s meeting on May 1 was a typical affair, with various items on the agenda including a traffic report, cycling strategy, and a study on local shops. One important item on the agenda was the adoption of the Library Strategy 2024-2027, which would set the direction for the council’s eight libraries for the next four years. This strategy had been unanimously approved by the council last year and had been on public exhibition for the past few months, awaiting final approval.
During the meeting, Conservative councillor Paul Garrard expressed his dissatisfaction with the strategy, particularly in its failure to address the usage of a historical site owned by the council. There was also a contentious moment when the mayor asked Garrard to withdraw a comment he made referring to a female councillor as a “witch doctor.” Despite his insistence that he said “which doctor,” the comment led to some tension in the meeting.
Another controversial moment occurred when councillor Steve Christou raised concerns about a book titled Same-Sex Parents by Holly Duhig, which was found in the toddler section of a local library. Christou moved an amendment to remove such books from the council’s library service, arguing that children should not be exposed to materials that sexualize them. The amendment ultimately passed by a narrow margin, with some councillors breaking party lines to support it.
The decision to ban the book led to backlash from various quarters, including condemnation from the NSW premier, Labor colleagues, and community members. Arts Minister John Graham even threatened to pull funding for Cumberland’s libraries, citing concerns about freedom of access to information. Christou later admitted that he had not even read the book in question, adding to the controversy surrounding the ban.
In response to the backlash, a rescission motion led by four Labor councillors was put forth, along with a letter from Arts Minister Graham. These items are set to be debated at an upcoming meeting, highlighting the ongoing controversy and division within the council over the decision to ban the book. The meeting promises to be a contentious and potentially heated affair as councillors grapple with the fallout from their previous decision.
Overall, the Cumberland Council meeting on May 1 was a tumultuous affair, marked by tensions over the adoption of the Library Strategy 2024-2027 and the subsequent ban on a book about same-sex parents. The meeting showcased divisions within the council, particularly between conservative and Labor councillors, as they clashed over issues of censorship, freedom of information, and the appropriate materials for children in libraries. The fallout from the decision to ban the book promises to be a major point of contention in future meetings, as councillors face scrutiny and backlash from various quarters over their actions.
