logo
Controversy over ‘offensive' park name getting ‘woke' change

Controversy over ‘offensive' park name getting ‘woke' change

Perth Now06-06-2025
Blackboy Park in Mullaloo is set to be renamed by the City of Joondalup after community consultation showed broad support for a change — but it will need to come up with a new name after a proposed one was rejected.
The city held public consultation on the proposed name change earlier this year after years of debate and an 11-1 council vote in December approving the change to Koorlangka Park.
Just more than 1800 submissions were received, with 55 per cent backing the name change, while 43 per cent supported keeping the original name.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.
Of the 1802 submissions, 40 per cent (746) were from people living outside the City of Joondalup.
Despite public support, the city will need to return to the drawing board for a new name after Landgate said 'Koorlangka Park' would not be supported due to its similarity in pronunciation and spelling to the nearby Koolyanga Road. The park is named Blackboy Park due to the presence of xanthorrhoeas, plants more commonly known today as grass trees. Credit: Simon Santi / The West Australian
City officers have recommended the city pursue an alternative Aboriginal place name through an Aboriginal-led engagement process.
The decision comes despite Landgate, the authority responsible for place naming in WA, previously expressing general support for the proposed name.
The city had engaged Aboriginal consultancy Nyungar Birdiyia in early 2024 to provide a recommendation for the renaming.
Koorlangka Kallip, which loosely translates to 'children's park' in Noongar, was initially suggested by the group, though city officers advised keeping 'Park' based on feedback from Landgate.
The park is named Blackboy Park due to the presence of xanthorrhoeas, plants more commonly known today as grass trees.
Currently there are only a handful of these grass trees in the 20,750sqm park.
Common points raised by those in support of the changes during the community consultation included that the current name was 'offensive, outdated, derogatory and racist', and that renaming the park would be 'more respectful and welcoming'.
The main arguments of those opposed to the change were that the current name was 'not offensive', that it referred to a plant name, and that changing it was seen as 'woke'.
City officers believe the council should still consider changing the park's name as the community expected it.
'The community consultation undertaken revealed that, overall, a majority of those who responded support the renaming of Blackboy Park,' city officers said in a report.
'Actions undertaken by the city and decisions of council on this issue to date have raised an expectation with the community that Blackboy Park will be renamed, and more specifically renamed with an appropriate Aboriginal place name.
'Not proceeding to rename Blackboy Park, or renaming the park with a non-Aboriginal name, creates a reputational risk with members of the community that consider reference to the term 'blackboy' is outdated and offensive.'
The Joondalup council will consider the city's recommendation at their meeting on June 24, following discussion at the agenda briefing on June 10.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'
WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'

Perth Now

time16 hours ago

  • Perth Now

WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'

A senior Liberal Party figure has backed calls for leader Sussan Ley to not use the Indigenous flag and dump 'tokenistic' Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments before official events. The two motions will be debated at Saturday's WA Liberal Party council, and has been supported by the Coalition's foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash, after an explosive Senate debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies. On flag recognition, the motion 'calls on the Ley Opposition to adopt a policy that in addition to the Australian national flag, only flags representing official jurisdictions (such as states and territories) or government institutions (such as the armed forces) be given formal Commonwealth recognition'. Another motion will call on the federal Liberal Party to state that 'Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments should not hold official status as they are tokenistic at best and do nothing to improve the lives of our most disadvantaged Australians'. Senator Cash said she supported both motions and 'welcome them being debated at the WA State Liberal Party Council'. 'It has been my long held belief and I am on the public record saying that there is one national flag and we should all unite under it,' she said. 'On the Welcome to Country issue my long held position, that is again on the public record, is consistent with the motion.' The motions and Senator Cash's comments also split with the stance taken by the Opposition Leader who said that, while 'we should unite under the one Australian flag,' she was 'happy to stand in front of the Aboriginal flag'. Camera Icon Cash has repeatedly spoken in favour of removing the Indigenous flag and Welcome to Country ceremonies from official proceedings. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia 'Had a gutful' Debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies intensified on the first day of the new parliament after One Nation senators Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten and Warwick Stacey turned their backs on the chamber on Tuesday. While their actions were condemned by Labor and the Greens, party leader Senator Hanson said she had 'had a gutful' of the process. 'I have had enough, and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she said. Senator Cash delivered an explosive spray at Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing the Labor senator of demeaning Indigenous Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price, who said she was 'sick to death' of being 'objectified' and used as 'political tokens'. Earlier, Senator Wong urged Senator Price to follow Ms Ley's comments for the party to 'recommit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunities for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'. Firing back, Senator Cash defended Senator Price. 'Do not ever demean anybody. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Her mother's story — Bess Price — I suggest you all read it. A woman walking through the desert was her mother,' Ms Cash said. 'I suggest you read the story of Bess Price before you ever come in here and cast aspersions or tell us, Senator Wong, to respect other words. 'I will stand by and respect Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who every day has lived and breathed reconciliation in this country. Her father is white, her mother is black. 'Don't ever come into this place again and pontificate to us like you've just done.' Camera Icon Senator Wong clashed with Senator Cash over Welcome to Country ceremonies and their place within Australian parliamentary procedure. NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy also questioned the Liberal Party's splintered view on Indigenous affairs. 'It was interesting because Sussan Ley sat next to Aunty Violet with the opening of the parliament and with the Prime Minister, and wanted to reset the direction for the Coalition,' she told the ABC on Thursday. While Senator McCarthy said people would bring their 'own personal opinions' into the debate around Welcome to Country ceremonies, she urged senators to be respectful. 'I don't think it will ever be settled because there will always be differing opinions,' she said. 'What was important was to remind Senators that we have a duty to the Senate to uphold, as Senator Wong said this week, to uphold democracy and the institutions of democracy in this country. And if we as Senators don't do it, then why are we there?'

WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'
WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'

News.com.au

time16 hours ago

  • News.com.au

WA Liberal senator Michaelia Cash stands firm on ‘one flag'

A senior Liberal Party figure has backed calls for leader Sussan Ley to not use the Indigenous flag and dump 'tokenistic' Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments before official events. The two motions will be debated at Saturday's WA Liberal Party council, and has been supported by the Coalition's foreign affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash, after an explosive Senate debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies. On flag recognition, the motion 'calls on the Ley Opposition to adopt a policy that in addition to the Australian national flag, only flags representing official jurisdictions (such as states and territories) or government institutions (such as the armed forces) be given formal Commonwealth recognition'. Another motion will call on the federal Liberal Party to state that 'Welcome to Country ceremonies and acknowledgments should not hold official status as they are tokenistic at best and do nothing to improve the lives of our most disadvantaged Australians'. Senator Cash said she supported both motions and 'welcome them being debated at the WA State Liberal Party Council'. 'It has been my long held belief and I am on the public record saying that there is one national flag and we should all unite under it,' she said. 'On the Welcome to Country issue my long held position, that is again on the public record, is consistent with the motion.' The motions and Senator Cash's comments also split with the stance taken by the Opposition Leader who said that, while 'we should unite under the one Australian flag,' she was 'happy to stand in front of the Aboriginal flag'. 'Had a gutful' Debate on Welcome to Country ceremonies intensified on the first day of the new parliament after One Nation senators Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, Tyron Whitten and Warwick Stacey turned their backs on the chamber on Tuesday. While their actions were condemned by Labor and the Greens, party leader Senator Hanson said she had 'had a gutful' of the process. 'I have had enough, and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she said. Senator Cash delivered an explosive spray at Foreign Minister Penny Wong, accusing the Labor senator of demeaning Indigenous Country Liberal Senator Jacinta Price, who said she was 'sick to death' of being 'objectified' and used as 'political tokens'. Earlier, Senator Wong urged Senator Price to follow Ms Ley's comments for the party to 'recommit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunities for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'. Firing back, Senator Cash defended Senator Price. 'Do not ever demean anybody. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Her mother's story — Bess Price — I suggest you all read it. A woman walking through the desert was her mother,' Ms Cash said. 'I suggest you read the story of Bess Price before you ever come in here and cast aspersions or tell us, Senator Wong, to respect other words. 'I will stand by and respect Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who every day has lived and breathed reconciliation in this country. Her father is white, her mother is black. 'Don't ever come into this place again and pontificate to us like you've just done.' Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy also questioned the Liberal Party's splintered view on Indigenous affairs. 'It was interesting because Sussan Ley sat next to Aunty Violet with the opening of the parliament and with the Prime Minister, and wanted to reset the direction for the Coalition,' she told the ABC on Thursday. While Senator McCarthy said people would bring their 'own personal opinions' into the debate around Welcome to Country ceremonies, she urged senators to be respectful. 'I don't think it will ever be settled because there will always be differing opinions,' she said. 'What was important was to remind Senators that we have a duty to the Senate to uphold, as Senator Wong said this week, to uphold democracy and the institutions of democracy in this country. And if we as Senators don't do it, then why are we there?'

Ex-top security official Mike Pezzullo warns Australia must brace for potential conflict with China within two years as AUKUS planning intensifies
Ex-top security official Mike Pezzullo warns Australia must brace for potential conflict with China within two years as AUKUS planning intensifies

Sky News AU

time16 hours ago

  • Sky News AU

Ex-top security official Mike Pezzullo warns Australia must brace for potential conflict with China within two years as AUKUS planning intensifies

Australia must prepare for the real possibility of war with China within the next two years, former Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo has warned, calling the chances of conflict in the Indo-Pacific region a '10 to 20 per cent' risk. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky News Australia, Pezzullo laid out a sobering assessment of Australia's strategic position, saying the country's current three-pronged approach to foreign policy - balancing trade with China, security ties with the US, and regional independence - is a 'calculated risk' that may not hold. 'I think the government's approach is to take a calculated risk that two of those tracks won't collide,' he told Sky News. 'So, you can keep trading with China, you can gain prosperity, and you can keep your security relationship with the Americans going. As long as those two tracks don't collide, I think there is balance in our policy approach. 'But the problem is, as we've often talked about, it's fine until it's not.' According to Pezzullo, the so-called 'collision' between trade and security policy could unfold in two main ways. 'I think they collide in one of two ways,' he said. 'One way is if that planning and that preparation for collective defence irritates China or draws a negative response. 'And the other way, obviously, is if there's a preparatory phase in a crisis leading to a potential conflict, which is, I think, in the realm of a 10 to 20 per cent chance over the next few years.' This comes following the news that over 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the largest-ever joint military drills held across Australia, focusing on multi-domain operations including land, sea, air, space, and cyber warfare. Exercise Talisman Sabre is conducted across a number of locations across Australia and offshore, using both Defence and non-Defence training areas. These locations provide a realistic rehearsal of how a large military force would flow into a broad area of operations. Pezzullo's comments come amid an ongoing AUKUS review and rising scrutiny of Australia's submarine programme and broader defence planning. He pointed to the US Defence Department's increasing focus on contingency planning and strategic alignment as a sign that Washington is preparing for a scenario where diplomacy fails. 'If that doesn't work and it comes to a clash, we need to have done the preparatory work, the collective security work, the contingency planning to get ready for. If you like - Plan B,' he said. 'The main way in which you deter conflict is to convince the other party that if it comes to a fight, you will prevail.' Pezzullo argued the current US-led AUKUS review is 'very targeted, very deliberate' and not the routine policy reassessment that some in government have claimed. In his most direct remarks, Pezzullo warned that President Xi Jinping's long-stated goal of 'reunifying' Taiwan with mainland China remains the central driver of potential conflict. 'I think we just have to take President Xi at his word. He's determined. The reunification of Taiwan back into China is his number one strategic priority,' he said. 'It is a hangover from what he considers to be the century of humiliation, when China was humiliated by imperial powers, and Taiwan, one way or another, is coming back.' Pezzullo outlined scenarios that could escalate into open conflict, ranging from political coercion to a blockade or even a full-scale invasion. But the true test, he said, will be how the United States responds. 'Will America fight?' he asked. 'Now, if America doesn't fight and Taiwan is reclaimed through an invasion, a broader Pacific war is then avoided.' But that uncertainty, particularly under the second Trump administration, leaves Australia in a precarious position. 'That's actually the most important question in Australian foreign and strategic policy at the moment; what would the Americans do?' Pezzullo said. 'Not because we're going to follow them blindly, we'll make our own choices, but that is the big variable. We know what President Xi is likely to do. What we need to know is what is President Trump and his administration likely to do.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store