Council debate on ‘cancel culture’ erupts over future of St Kilda’s vandalised Captain Cook statue

The council narrowly voted against a community consultation on the location and context' of the explorer's Port Phillip memorial

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A Melbourne council has narrowly voted against asking local residents whether it should restore or permanently remove a Captain Cook statue that was sawn off at the ankles just before Australia Day.

There was heated debate at a Port Phillip council meeting on Wednesday night over a motion to consult the community on the statue's future, before it was voted down five votes to four. Some councillors were reprimanded and a member of the packed public gallery was asked to leave after several interjections.

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