Fresh threat as Aussie council bans same sex parenting book: 'Bad sign'

The NSW state government is threatening to pull funding from a Sydney council following a controversial ban on same-sex books in libraries. Councillors at Cumberland City Council, in Sydney's west, voted in favour of the controversial motion, which has prompted a wave of concerned backlash.

The motion was brought last week by former mayor, Councillor Steve Christou, who claims he's received complaints from "distraught parents" about the same-sex books on shelves in eight local libraries. Six councillors, including himself, supported the ban with five opposing it.

The move has since drawn a fiery response from some including the state's Arts Minister John Graham who on Tuesday said the government will look at withholding funding from the council responsible. The state government has warned the vote may be in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.

"We are examining the consequences this decision may have for the council continuing to receive library funding from the NSW Government," he said. "When civilisations turn to burning books or banning books it is a very bad sign. That is equally true for local councils.

"It is up to readers to choose which book to take off the shelf. It should not be up to local councillors to make that choice for them or engage in censorship."

Councillor defends decision to ban same-sex books

Speaking of the government's threat on Wednesday morning, Christou said he doesn't believe it's the right decision to cease funding. And while he agreed it's a "sensitive topic", he defended his stance.

"If the government want to take away funding from one of the most socially disadvantaged communities in NSW because their democratically elected council stood up for the values which they believe represent their local community, well shame on them and I would urge them not to do that," he told Today host Karl Stefanovic.

"The State Government would be better focused on servicing their residents and helping them pay the mortgage, the rent, the bills, and put food on the table to feed their children. "

Christou said it was a matter of listening to the community which includes suburbs Auburn, Merrylands and Granville. "We've had consistent complaints on these kind of books and similar issues infiltrating our libraries from local residents," he said on-air on this morning.

"You have to understand that at Cumberland City Council, about 60 per cent of the community was born overseas and they have deep conservative values, family values and religious values, it doesn't matter whether they're Christian, Catholic, Orthodox, Islamic or Hindu."

The book at centre of the ban about 'difficult realities'

The book that sparked the decision was titled 'Focus On: Same Sex Parents'. It forms part of a series that aims to inform children about "difficult realities" and "healthy ways for children to process and understand them". Five copies have been in the council's libraries since 2019.

The "immediate" decision to rid library services of same-sex material has prompted one local to launch a petition to "reverse" Cumberland City Council's decision. In one day it has received over 480 signatures.

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Michael, who started the petition on Tuesday, said the move "undermines democratic values and denies representation to diverse families in society" declaring "same-sex parents exist in society".

"By choosing to ban books for and about same-sex families, the council is effectively minimising their existence and sending a clear message," he argued. "This decision is not reflective of the Australian people nor the Australian spirit. Banning these books denies these families representation and fails to reflect our diverse society."

Mayor 'saddened' by 'appalling' decision

Cumberland City Mayor Lisa Lake was among the councillors who voted no, telling ABC Radio on Wednesday she vehemently disagreed with the decision. "It's an appalling decision and I'm really deeply saddened by it," she said.

Lake said the state government currently puts $700,000 a year into their libraries, the Daily Telegraph reported. She too has asked the state government to reconsider.

"I’d ask the Minister to confirm his concerns directly with us – it may indeed encourage the councillors who supported this ban to reconsider their response," she said.

Yahoo News Australia has contacted Cumberland City Council for comment.

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia, Greens MP and Western Sydney Spokesperson, Cate Faehrmann agreed the ban is "incredibly concerning".

“The community deserves political representatives who want to foster inclusion and tolerance, not harbour hatred and division," she said. " You only have to think about some of the horrendous events over the past few weeks to see what happens when we don’t do that."

She agreed Western Sydney is "renowned for its diverse and tolerant communities" and said the decision will likely have "very damaging ramifications for families, including children".

"I understand the government is considering reviewing Cumberland City Council’s library funding which is a good thing," she added. "There must be consequences for this divisive and dangerous decision by the Council, plus the Government needs to send a strong message that no other council should consider going down this path."

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