Port Stephens Council has come under fire for gifting its most recent batch of new Australian citizens with a stubby holder. While leaving it at that might have been fine, the stubby holder featured a busty naked woman silhouetted along the Australian flag, the Sydney Morning Heraldreports.
The council have been forced to apologise and take full responsibility for the “Welcome to Australia” pack, which was put together by a volunteer committee to be given as a gift at citizenship ceremony. Apparently, no one decided to look at it before handing it over to the group of new citizens though.
Some of these new Australians happened to be young girls, making this a particularly appalling misstep. It was noted by prominent figures in the area that the incident very much sours the celebration of army chief David Morrison as 2016 Australian of the Year for his work in ensuring equality for women – the objectification of women appears to be, at least in someone’s mind, very Australian.
Port Stephens councillor Geoff Dingle hit the nail on the head, explaining the incident as "embarrassing to say the least". Perhaps more amazing was his commentary on further commentary on the place he works for; "what a bogan council," he said.
