Advertisement

Why Greens are calling for new suburb name to be scrapped

Calls to scrap the name of a new Sydney suburb have been described as "political correctness gone mad".

The suburb, called Lynch, is named after Jim Lynch, a highly respected former Mayor of Blacktown, but some say the name is offensive to indigenous Australians.

The Greens say the new name will remind Aboriginal people of racial hate crimes.

Jim Lynch's son Peter says that trying to make a connection between his father's name and racial injustice is just "not on."

Jim Lynch is a former Mayor of Blacktown. Source: 7 News
Jim Lynch is a former Mayor of Blacktown. Source: 7 News
Jim's son Peter is not happy about the controversy over naming the suburb. Source: 7 News
Jim's son Peter is not happy about the controversy over naming the suburb. Source: 7 News

But the new suburb within the existing area of Marsden Park in Western Sydney has ruffled the feathers of some in the local indigenous community.

"Where do you live? Lynch. What, where they hang? That's the first thing people are going to think of," local elder Uncle Des Dyer said.

Local elder Des Dyer says indigenous people will immediately think of lynchings. Source: 7 News
Local elder Des Dyer says indigenous people will immediately think of lynchings. Source: 7 News
The proposed new suburb within the existing area of Marsden Park. Source: 7 News
The proposed new suburb within the existing area of Marsden Park. Source: 7 News

The reference is to lynching in the United States, historic racial hate crimes committed predominantly against African Americans.

"It'll bring out too many old wounds for a lot of people," Uncle Des Dyer said.

The Greens agree and want the name scrapped, applying to the state government's Geographical Names Board to have the name rejected.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said the name was insulting to Aboriginal people. Source: 7 News
Greens MP David Shoebridge said the name was insulting to Aboriginal people. Source: 7 News

"We took their land from them, we've taken their culture from far too many of them, and now they want to add this further and unnecessary insult," Green MP David Shoebridge said.

But Blacktown Council is refusing to let the name be shamed.

"It's political correctness gone mad," Black Mayor Stephen Bali said.

Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali called the criticisms
Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali called the criticisms

"We're going to stand by local icons of the area that have done so much."

"I find it totally ridiculous," Peter Lynch said. "It's our family name."