Arts Minister John Graham will caution NSW libraries about the dangers of implementing book bans
The contentious vote to ban the same-sex parenting book targeting children was later overturned by the same council.
New South Wales (NSW) Arts Minister John Graham has explained his adamant opposition to a council vote—and about-face—to ban a same-sex parenting book targeting five-to-seven-year-olds.
On May 22, Mr. Graham released a statement to The Epoch Times following the contentious vote by the Cumberland City Council to remove the book from its four libraries in western Sydney.
The decision to put “Same Sex Parents” by Holly Duhig to a vote was initiated by Granville Councillor Steve Christou, and later reversed at the council’s subsequent ordinary meeting where only Mr. Christou and fellow Councillor Eddy Sarkins stuck to the ban.
During the short-term ban, the NSW Labor arts minister said he was considering how to cut funding to the council.
In his statement, Mr. Graham pointed to the Access to Information in NSW Public Libraries Guideline, which states public libraries must provide unbiased information and must ensure free access. The guidelines also state libraries have a duty to provide access to comprehensive and balanced material, and that books that have not been subject to a state or federal prohibition should not be banned.
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“It is the view of the government that excluding books or materials based on the views of a councillor or councillors amounts to a denial of access,” Mr. Graham said.
“It is not the role of councillors to decide what people may read.”
Mr. Graham said any decisions on bans were handled by the Commonwealth Classification Board—not local governments.
“The community has every right to expect that their public library will stock books that have not been subject to Commonwealth restriction,” he said.
“My colleagues at the State Library of NSW are preparing communications to share with all NSW local councils reminding them about their responsibilities under the Library Act 1939 and associated guidelines, to ensure this type of resolution is not entertained by other councils.”
The book will now be back on Cumberland library shelves, in the junior non-fiction section. It features images of both heterosexual and homosexual families and covers topics including surrogacy and dealing with disapproving grandparents.
Decision Based on Family Values, Councillor Says
Mr. Christou explained his decision to put forward the motion.
Mr. Christou said members of the community had requested the removal of what they felt was an inappropriate book for small children.
“I did that with the support of five other councillors,” he said.
Mr. Christou said Labor “had worked up a campaign” against the ban.
“It’s very important our community has a say in this matter,” he said. “We are a community of deep family and religious values and I’m only expressing and will stay hard-fist expressing the views that represent our local community.”
The ban was ultimately overturned on May 15.
The Epoch Times contacted Mr. Christou for comment on the arts minister’s latest correspondence.
