Cumberland councillor Steve Christou.Credit:Jessica Hromas
But conservative independent councillor Steve Christou on Wednesday confirmed he was not aware of the contents ofSame-Sex Parents,the book which sparked his motion.
When this masthead asked if he had read the book,Christou responded:“No,I have not. I have been very open about that.” He said his concern was “any form of material burdening our children”.
“You’d be very hard-pressed to find a two,three,[or] four-year-old that would legitimately understand whether or not[they] have same-sex parents.”
The book is listed as being for children aged six and older,but Christou said it was found in the toddler section of Merrylands Library.
Christou said he brought the matter to council because residents had complained to him about the book,and more had come forward after media reporting. However,he refused to say how many residents had complained.
Same-Sex Parents,by Holly Duhig.
“Have I received 200 phone calls on it? No,” he said,before later adding that “I’ve received more than five complaints”.