Political tensions ran high at Wollongong council this week, as councillors debated the merits of renaming the electorate of Throsby to honour former prime minister Gough Whitlam.
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Barbs were thrown, allegiances were called into question, and Throsby was dubbed a “dead white man on the make for cash and a head full of terra nullius”.
The amusing, if ultimately pointless, debate was sparked by a motion from Liberal Michelle Blicavs, who objected to the Australian Electoral Commission’s proposed renaming on the basis Whitlam had “nothing to do” with the southern Illawarra.
Labor councillor Chris Connor, whose grandfather Rex served in Whitlam’s cabinet, took umbrage at this suggestion, rattling off a litany of ways the former PM had made his mark.
David Brown agreed, labelling Cr Blicavs’ history accompanying her motion “seriously contestable or outright wrong”. For instance, he had never heard of Throsby being called the “father of Wollongong” and recounted several ways Whitlam had been connected to the area.
He suggested Throsby constituents be urged to write their own submissions depending on their views.
Eventually, Greens and Liberal councillors narrowly voted 6-5 to write to the commission in support of Throsby. However, Labor then made this decision void by lodging a rescission, which will halt any action until the next meeting.
Submissions on the name change are due on Friday, meaning the council will miss the deadline to lodge its concerns.
Go to www.illawarramercury.com.au to read more.
WHAT THEY SAID
VOTED IN FAVOUR OF WRITING TO THE AEC IN SUPPORT OF THROSBY
Michelle Blicavs: We need to represent our people in this regard. We need to object to the name change to one of Wollongong’s founders. Our history is more important than a previous prime minister who has no affiliation or connection to our region.
George Takacs: Gough Whitlam was certainly a significant figure in our history and he did many things, many of which have unfortunately been undone, which benefited our country greatly. He should be recognised, but it would be much more appropriate and more worthy of the man if that electorate was to be much closer to the area in which he served.
Bede Crasnich: Throsby is a little bit more relevant to this region than Gough. [Whitlam] had some great ideas, Aboriginal, multicultural and gender equality [for instance] which I’d like to think the vast majority of my generation supports. I just feel Charles Throsby is a lot more relevant to this region. Aboriginal guides, 200 years ago now, led him over the escarpment and here we all are today.
Leigh Colacino: Charles Throsby has a link to this area. There is a legacy there to the Illawarra. He opened this area up. Throsby the name and what he did is a huge part of Wollongong’s history.
John Dorahy: This is entirely up to the Australian Electoral Commission. To me back then, Gough was a bit of a hero, he was a fantastic statesman for this country and I, if I remember correctly, I was about 18 when he came around and I did vote for him, as much as I am a Liberal person these days. [But] for me I’m one of historical facts.
VOTED AGAINST WRITING IN FAVOUR OF KEEPING THROSBY
Chris Connor: Australia has been indelibly marked and irrevocably changed socially, politically and culturally because of the achievements of the Whitlam government in three years. [These included] universal healthcare…, recognising China, social reforms like supporting mothers’ benefits…, equal pay for women, abolishing the death penalty, the Family Law Act and the National Family Court…, needs based funding for schooling [and] free university. These are not a fanciful longing for the past, but real reforms that have shaped our nation. Personally I’d love to see the seat changed.
David Brown: It’s hard to see what this motion is about other than partisan flag waving. It really has the capacity to spark a rancorous debate. People will be in two minds about who was Australia’s greatest prime minister, was is Gough or was it Keating? But I don’t think it’s appropriate for the council to come to an official position on this. The electoral commission is an independent body. I’ve never heard of Throsby being called the father of Wollongong… I’ve heard him called other things, like a dead white man on the make for cash and a head full of terra nullius.
Greg Petty: I believe this is one reason why there should be no politics in council.
Ann Martin: I find it remarkable that we have this notion that Throsby discovered the Illawarra. The Illawarra was already here, quite happily [inhabited], and people had quite a good life until a whole bunch of white trash, white fellows, came down and knocked it off. Why wouldn’t you want the area named after Whitlam… and to have an area associated with someone who changed the country in an amazing way forever.
Vicki Curran: Gough Whitlam did so much for the people of Australia not just [his electorate of] Werriwa. Throsby was fortunate that he had Aboriginal guides at a time when his cows needed water to be directed into the Illawarra. He was guided, he was welcomed, and in return… there were great massacres. Throsby has a historical importance, most certainly, but from where I come from, Gough Whitlam has far more relevance and is fondly remembered with a history that Wollongong can be well proud of.