Decision details

Moved by Councillor Davis, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) -

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note that on 11 April 2022, Council unanimously resolved to recognise: 

(i)         Australian South Sea Islanders as a "distinct ethnic group in Australia with its own history and culture”;

(ii)        the official term ‘Australian South Sea Islanders’ relates to the descendants of blackbirding to NSW in 1847; while the historical term, ‘South Sea Islanders’ refers to both their ancestors, and today, the contemporary community of South Sea Islanders who have migrated to Australia;

(iii)       the discrimination, injustice, disadvantage and prejudice experienced by South Sea Islanders throughout Australia’s history and the significant disadvantage the Australian South Sea Islanders still face today; and

(iv)       this history must also be uncovered, acknowledged and embedded into the City of Sydney’s planning for the future;

(B)       Council acknowledge that the City has subsequently completed the following actions: 

(i)         committed to formally acknowledging Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day on 25 August, from 2022 onwards, with Recognition Day, and a surrounding Recognition Week, providing the City with an opportunity to program and promote initiatives specially designed in collaboration with Australian South Sea Islanders, with the goal of strengthening the community's awareness of, and pride in, this distinct culture; and

(ii)        committed to achieving a City for All: a sustainable, inclusive, diverse city that is welcoming and embraces people from all walks of life; 

(C)       Council endorse submission of the following motion for consideration at the upcoming 2024 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference:

That Local Government NSW work with relevant stakeholders to coordinate a program to encourage all NSW councils to officially recognise and support Australian South Sea Islander Recognition Day on 25 August annually; and      

(D)       the Lord Mayor be requested to advocate to the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to influence more equitable outcomes, including the continued implementation of the recommendations of the 1992 Call for Recognition report, the 1994 Commonwealth Government response to this report and the 1995 Premier’s Memorandum relating to Australian South Sea Islanders.

Carried unanimously.

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