Drinks holder gift given at Australia Day citizenship ceremony sparks social media outcry

Attractive women are incorrect even in silhouette

 

  A drinks holder depicting a silhouetted naked woman standing against an Australian flag that was distributed at an Australia Day citizenship ceremony in the NSW Hunter region has sparked an outcry on social media. At the a citizenship ceremony at Nelson Bay, north of Newcastle, at least one gift bag containing the controversial stubby holder was given to an attendee.The gift has since sparked a range of views from the public on social media.Port Stephens Council, who was responsible for the citizenship ceremony, said the stubby holder was not part of the "official citizenship gift pack".

 In a statement on Facebook, the council said the gift set containing the stubby holder was packed by a "local business house" and was distributed by the ceremony's volunteer organising committee.It said it was not aware of the pack's contents."There has obviously been a failure of oversight and quality control in this instance," the council's social media statement said. "Council deeply regrets this and, by virtue of the fact the volunteer committee acts on behalf of Council, accepts full responsibility. We apologise unreservedly.

"In light of this matter, the volunteer committee has undertaken to review its processes to ensure there is no repeat in future."

The state member for Port Stephens, and Opposition spokeswoman for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, Kate Washington, described the incident as a "shocker".

 "[It is] completely inappropriate in the context, particularly of an Australian citizenship ceremony," Ms Washington said."Yes, people have things [like the stubby holder] in their cupboards and people can make those choices for themselves." But in a setting, which is meant to be respectful, dignified, reflecting Australian qualities — democracy, equality and all of that — this is not appropriate."Ms Washington said local councils were governed by a strict code as to what gifts could be given at citizenship ceremonies."

The citizenship ceremony on an Australia Day event is really carved out as a responsibility for the council," she said. Ms Washington said the gift sent the wrong message about the treatment of women."It is a reflection perhaps of our Australian culture, but it's not a good reflection," she said."We really need to be addressing this objectifying culture that underlies the whole attitude towards women and the erosion of respect given to women, that then leads on to this ridiculously awful level of domestic violence."

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