In 2017, domestic violence was described by The WASH House and Mount Druitt police as Western Sydney's "cancer". Blacktown is one of the areas hardest hit by domestic violence in New South Wales. I recall the police superintendents across the three local area commands in the Blacktown City Council area saying the combined call-outs fluctuated around 1,000 incidents per month. The Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research reported that domestic‑violence‑related assaults across the Blacktown City Council area ranged from a high of 2,222 in 2019 to a low of 2,061 in 2022. That obviously excludes unreported incidences. The crime statistics also showed that over 1,660 women per annum were intimidated, stalked and/or harassed.
We have many important organisations dealing with domestic and family violence as well as empowering women to undertake personal development so they can live life to their full potential. I pay tribute to organisations such as the Harman Foundation, which last week was visited by the Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison, MP, who heard about the challenges the foundation faces. Blacktown Women's and Girls' Health Centre provides counselling and support services for women experiencing trauma, and The WASH House is working hard to reduce the impact of poverty, social disadvantage and violence on the lives of women and girls. There are many other valuable organisations working in this space across Blacktown City, and I will provide future updates on their work to the House.
Blacktown City Council has also been at the forefront of supporting community organisations dealing with domestic violence and the empowerment of women. Blacktown council has held many events raising awareness about the prevention of domestic violence; it also supports community organisations with vigils when a domestic violence death occurs. Given the good work of council in this space, I was shocked to read an article written by Kate McClymont and published in. The Sydney Morning Herald on 29 August 2023 titled "Teo's 'wolf pack' bares teeth with threats", which implicated Blacktown council. Kate somehow got hold of a text exchange between proponents of a proposed property project called the Blacktown Brain and Spine Institute, or BBSI, who were working with Blacktown council at the time. Kate McClymont had already produced an unfavourable exposé on the proponents in previous articles, and I am unaware of any successful court action initiated by the BBSI proponents to refute her accusations.
An alleged exchange of messages between the three proponents was published in.The Sydney Morning Herald. The exchange included the words, and I quote, "rifle that bitch Kate" and "Dirty putana lorda will get hers! She will be eating shit for the rest of her miserable life!" I have emailed the Blacktown City Council Mayor and CEO, as well as a representative of Walker Corporation, which has since purchased the BBSI project, and the person that allegedly made these comments. I have only received a response from Walker Corporation, which states that it cannot be held accountable for previous BBSI shareholders, they will not be associated with Walker Corporation or BBSI moving forward, and that "Walker's conducts its business in a manner that is respectful of all people's rights, and does not condone any behaviour that breaches those rights".
According to the article, the person who allegedly made the comments first denied it and then said it was banter. I do not believe words of this nature in any language can satisfy the definition of banter. These people need to be called out, and it needs to be determined whether the statements are true. If so, a heartfelt apology must be issued. It is also incumbent on Blacktown City Council representatives to demand answers to questions, and, if necessary, call for an apology. How can they conduct legitimate business transactions with a syndicate that believes it is okay to intimidate and threaten women?
It is not good enough for Blacktown City Council representatives to make general public statements against intimidation and violence towards women and then remain silent when their business associates have been accused of vile comments. Council's only response to the article so far was words to the effect of "Oh, the article didn't talk about the project's economic benefits or the jobs that it will generate." There was no rejection of the intimidation towards the female reporter. The saying "the standard you walk past is the standard you accept" was coined by Lieutenant General David Morrison during a powerful speech condemning aggression against women. There is no hiding. The mayor, councillors and senior council staff must decide: Stand against the intimidation of women, or cower in the corner and say nothing so they do not offend their friends and business associates.
