This week Ballina Shire councillor Kiri Dicker described a Ballina News Daily article as “a racist dog whistle from failed former Councillor Rod Bruem, designed to do what he does best — stir up hate and division in our community.”

That is not political disagreement.
It is a serious allegation.

And it is wrong.

The article in question reported on Margery Fitzgerald’s request that her family be consulted in any process concerning Pat Morton Lookout — land donated by her late father, Jack Easter, who chose the name.

It did not argue against Indigenous recognition.
It did not oppose dual naming.
It reported a legitimate perspective in a contested local debate.

That is journalism.

Where my views were formed

I grew up in rural public schools at a time when Australia did not teach the full truth about its treatment of Indigenous people. I vividly recall teachers dragging us into the school library to watch an ABC documentary about what had really happened to the First Australians — because that history was not part of the curriculum.

For many of us, it was a wake-up call.

From a young age I formed the view that respect for culture lies at the heart of reconciliation. Not shame. Not guilt. Respect.

As a journalist and wordsmith, I have always believed language is central to culture. The loss of language is the loss of history and identity. We are living at a time when we can take steps to preserve what we know.

That belief informed the very first independent motion I introduced to Ballina Shire Council in June 2022 — calling for greater use of First Nations language in new street names and dual naming where appropriate.

The debate was surprisingly protracted for something I believed should have attracted unanimous support. Nevertheless, the motion passed.

Why did I move it?

Because when I arrived in Ballina, I saw new subdivisions filled with what appeared to be meaningless or contrived street names. We had an opportunity to embed local Indigenous words into our landscape in a lasting way — to preserve language rather than let it disappear.

That remains my position.

Recognition is not erasure

But I draw a distinction between recognition and replacement.

I do not support removing established landmark names and substituting newly created Indigenous names where no recorded traditional name exists. Recognition should add to history, not delete it.

The Pat Morton Lookout story was not manufactured by Ballina News Daily. Margery Fitzgerald approached us. We verified her account. We reported her position.

To label that reporting “racist” is reckless.

On “failed former councillor”

As for the phrase “failed former councillor,” I chose not to stand for re-election. I wanted to pursue other professional opportunities. That was my decision.

Serving one term in local government is not failure.

Even if I had stood and been unsuccessful, that would not be failure either.

Local government is demanding, time-consuming and often thankless. Anyone willing to put themselves forward deserves respect. Using dismissive labels years after someone has left office does nothing to encourage others to serve.

Who would volunteer for public life knowing they may be subjected to personal attacks long after their term ends?

A broader problem in politics

There is a broader pattern in modern politics, and I believe it is particularly visible within sections of the Greens and parts of the extreme political left.

Too often, debate is replaced with labels.

Question certain climate policies and you are branded a “denier.”  Raise concerns about immigration settings and you are accused of racism. Report on a contested issue involving Indigenous naming and you are told you are blowing a “racist dog whistle.”

This tactic avoids argument. It shuts down nuance. It shifts the focus from the substance of a debate to the character of the person raising it.

It is easier to assign motive than to engage with complexity.

Serious words such as “racist” should carry enormous weight. When they are deployed casually in political combat, they are diminished. Worse, they trivialise genuine prejudice.

Language matters. That has been the theme of this entire discussion — in preserving Indigenous words, in acknowledging culture, and in how we conduct political debate.

If we are serious about reconciliation, we must also be serious about precision in language.

Local government should not mirror the worst habits of federal politics. It should be the level where disagreement is robust but respectful.

A final point

I have never publicly attacked Councillor Dicker personally. I have acknowledged her incredible work ethic and commitment. Our debates during my time on council were robust and, at times, stimulating. I believe she is a strong representative for her party.

But branding a journalist racist for reporting a legitimate community concern crosses a line.

Ballina News Daily will not be intimidated from covering contested issues.

Readers can judge the reporting for themselves.

Earlier Story: 

Family behind Pat Morton lookout says no to name change