Wyndham City Council has come under fire for replacing its traditional opening prayer with a secular “opening pledge” without consulting the community. Faith leaders and residents have criticised the council’s decision, questioning why the voices of religious communities were not considered in a move that impacts the cultural and spiritual fabric of the city.
Advertisement
The prayer, a longstanding tradition in council meetings, was replaced in the first meeting after the election of new councillors. Previously, councillors stood as the mayor led a prayer: “We pray for guidance in the council’s decision-making to achieve the best outcome for the people of Wyndham.” Now, meetings begin with the pledge:
“We, the councillors of Wyndham City, declare that we will impartially, to the best of our skill and judgment, undertake on every occasion to carry out our duties in the best interest of the Wyndham community. We will uphold the standards of good governance set out in the councillor code of conduct and faithfully represent and honour the trust placed in this council by the people of Wyndham.”
Faith Leaders Voice Concerns
Local faith leaders, representing the diverse religious makeup of Wyndham, have strongly questioned the council’s decision.
Pastor AJ from Reach Community Church in Point Cook stated:
“We are in a community of a lot of different migrants that are faith-based, either Christians, Muslims, Hindus, etc. Our community is very rich in diversity, and it seems they are saying our faith is not important. What is the basis of that decision? Faith inspires integrity, compassion, and accountability. By removing prayer from the meeting, it appears as though they are saying they don’t care about the role of faith in decision-making. You are giving a signal that you don’t welcome people of faith.”
Stan Richey, President of the Ministers Network, added:
“It is a disappointing development and shows a lack of consultation from a council that prides itself on community engagement. They didn’t ask how our community felt about it or the people who have any kind of faith.”
Imam Abdullah Hawari from Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing highlighted the cultural significance of prayer:
“A generic prayer to God for believers is not based on any particular religion and is an important part of decision-making. Before we start any of our meetings, we always begin with prayer. Council should always consult faith-based leaders when it comes to addressing areas of faith.”
Councillor Raises Concerns
At the council meeting on 26 November, Cr. Jasmine Hill questioned the process behind the change:
“I have a point of clarification on this item. I’ve noticed that the council meeting prayer has been changed to the council pledge. Don’t we need a council resolution for a change in setting orders?”
In response, the governance team, speaking through the mayor, confirmed that no resolution was required.
Council’s Justification Sparks Further Questions
A Wyndham City Council spokesperson defended the decision, citing inclusivity and census data:
“Under the Local Government Act 2020, the Council must consider the diversity of interests and needs of the municipal community. In the 2021 census, 60 percent of the Wyndham population identified as either non-religious or as belonging to a religion other than Christianity. The pledge is an inclusive, agnostic commitment by our councillors that they will adhere to the principles of good governance in their decision-making.”
This statement, however, has raised eyebrows. Critics have questioned the relevance of specifically referencing “belonging to a religion other than Christianity.” Many argue that such phrasing undermines the contributions of all faith groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Hindus, to the community’s cultural identity. Furthermore, they point out that acknowledging non-Christian religions does not justify removing faith entirely from council proceedings.
Uneven Inclusivity
Critics have also highlighted inconsistencies in the council’s approach to inclusivity. While the Welcome to Country remains an integral part of meetings, even though Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people comprise only 1% of Wyndham’s 2024 projected population of 325,291, faith-based traditions have been removed despite a far larger portion of the population identifying with a religion.
Leaders argue that an inclusive approach could have maintained a non-denominational prayer, respecting the diverse beliefs of the Wyndham community while retaining the cultural importance of faith in governance.
Community Frustration Grows
The council’s decision to make this change without consultation has left many residents feeling sidelined. While the council asserts it represents all residents, the removal of the prayer sends a message that faith—an integral part of life for many in Wyndham—is being devalued.
The controversy adds to a growing perception that Wyndham City Council is disregarding community input on major decisions, leaving faith leaders and residents questioning whether inclusivity is truly being upheld.
