Statement from the Mayor – 2025 International Women’s Day Morning Tea

Published on 06 March 2025

For immediate release

6 March 2025

On behalf of Council, I apologise to the Strathfield community for the politicisation of our International Women’s Day event this morning by our Federal Member of Parliament, Ms Sally Sitou.

International Women’s Day is about celebrating the successes of women in our community, and we were lucky to have official addresses from The Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre’s, Laura Chatman and Victoria Alvarez, and from the Burwood Police Area Command’s Superintendent Christine McDonald. Our keynote speaker was the inspiring Kath Koschel, who defied all medical prognoses and overcame life-altering circumstances, and is the founder of global charity Kindness Factory.

As per convention, Ms Sitou was welcomed to say a few acknowledgements at the opening of our community event. This is out of respect for the office which she holds. The same privilege was given to our State Member of Parliament and is generally offered to dignitaries who join us on such occasions.

Any abuse of this privilege, regardless of political persuasion, is inappropriate and should be called out.

Ms Sitou gave an address which lasted almost twenty minutes and significantly focused on her political party’s achievements and ambitions. The language and tone used was highly self-promotional and political. Following her remarks, and as our keynote speaker began, Ms Sitou departed the event, treating it as a campaign-stop.

Party-political speeches of this kind have no place at our community events.  

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ayla Karabulut

Strathfield Council

9748 9604

ayla.karabulut@strathfield.nsw.gov.au