A STORM of outrage has engulfed Cr Sam Rowland over his “houso” comment in last week’s council meeting.
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Federal Senator Ursula Stephens is among a host of Goulburn citizens to have taken offence.
Current and former councillors have also expressed their disappointment in Cr Rowland who muttered the words “houso junkie” (not “bogan houso” as previously reported) during a debate on whether the public should elect their mayor.
“He gives no recognition to the fact that it doesn’t matter where you grow up, whether you’re in government housing or if your family is well off enough to have private housing, people’s potential to lead the country or the community is not defined by where they live,” Senator Stephens said.
“He might also need to be reminded that the deputy Prime Minister, up until yesterday (Thursday), was Anthony Albanese, who grew up in public housing, so he just needs to grow up a little bit and realise the community is made up of many more than just ‘born to rule’ people like him.”
Cr Rowland has taken to social media to explain his position.
“I never used the word ‘bogan’!,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
"It’s an offensive term. It shouldn’t be used by one of our civic elected leaders."
Cr Saville
“My use of the word ‘houso’ was to emphasise the point that someone could stand just for a joke or for no good reason and get elected - it has happened here before and it isn’t a good thing for the community. No offence intended!”
He added: “Political correctness is out of control in Australia at the moment and it isn’t a good thing for democracy.”
Senator Stephens said she was shocked by reports that some councillors laughed at Tuesday night’s comments.
She called on Mayor Geoff Kettle to ask his colleague to withdraw the remarks at the next meeting.
Cr Kettle told the Post that he wouldn’t comment on the Senator’s appeal because she hadn’t made it to him directly.
“It didn’t particularly perturb me but I can understand how it would offend some people and I think Cr Rowland may be showing some of his immaturity,” he said.
“Cr Rowland needs to deal with that and I think he needs to be accountable for his own comments and made responsible for his comments as I am and other elected officials are all of the time.”
Senator Stephens, the former Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, said “houso” and other derogatory euphemisms had no place in public debate.
Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk, thought his “stupid” comments were the result of a “point poorly made”.
“I lived in Landsdowne St in Housing Commission (accommodation) along with some other fine, upstanding citizens,” Cr Kirk said.
“A lot of good people come from the Housing Commission areas. Sam is going to have to stand on his own dig for his stupid remarks.”
Cr Robin Saville took his young colleague to task about the “inappropriateness” of his language.
His grandmother lived in government housing and he has fond childhood memories of visiting her. He also doesn’t believe socio economic status has anything to do with leadership.
“It was concerning because just the word ‘houso’ is a really derogatory term and there are a lot of reasons why people need the Housing Commission to support them…” he said.
“It’s an offensive term. It shouldn’t be used by one of our civic elected leaders. That was the basis of my objection…The comment was inappropriate and I thought it was unfortunate that it provoked laughter instead of concern.”
Former councillor Geoff Peterson said Cr Rowland should make a full public apology at the next council meeting.
“I am offended by what he said,” Mr Peterson, who was raised with his 11 siblings in a Housing Commission property at West Goulburn, said.
“I’m a proud ‘houso’, so is Cr Bob Kirk. What Cr Rowland said is deeply offensive and hurtful not just to me, but many people in Goulburn who grew up in public housing.”
University of Canberra honours student Nicole Campbell, who lived in Housing Commission with her mother and brother until she was in high school, said she was “disgusted” by the comments.
“I think it’s disgusting because he is somebody who is meant to represent the entirety of our town and it shows he obviously has a problem with people based on their socioeconomic status,” she said.
“I was raised in a Housing Commission area and went on to be the dux of my high school, I’ve almost completed a Bachelors’ degree (in Writing) and I’m in an international honours society for the top 16 per cent of students in my field but apparently there is something wrong with me… He obviously has an issue with me, my family and other people who live (in those areas). It’s not good.”
Cr Rowland stands by his use of the word ‘houso’, saying it is a “colloquial Australian term”.
He denied using the word ‘bogan’ and contested that last Friday’s article missed the broader context of his statement.
“I would like to take the opportunity to explain the comments I made during Tuesday’s Council meeting, some of which were published on the front page of today’s Goulburn Post,” he wrote on Facebook.
“There are only three possible scenarios for Council and the community if our Mayor was to be popularly elected.
“1. The Mayor is elected with a strong mandate and has the support of Councillors;
“2. The Mayor is elected with a strong mandate and the Councillors refuse to work with him which will result in a dysfunctional and unworkable Council; and
“3. Some houso junkie stands, gets elected and the Council has no leadership, vision or future.
Two out of the three scenarios result in a loss for the community. Its (sic) just too risky!’”
The reaction from the public has been mixed on Cr Rowland’s Facebook page.
“Good on you Sam. Most clear thinking people know what you mean and will support you through and through ...” was one comment.
However, another user wrote:
“Probably be careful about putting labels on people mate. Not a good look.”
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