Representation for Some, Not All: Reflections on the Words of Basil Zempilas
On the 28th of October, freshly elected Lord Mayor of Perth Basil Zempilas graced the airwaves of 6PR with a series of distasteful comments regarding the Transgender community. These comments included: “No, you don’t. No. Wrong. If you’ve got a penis, mate, you are a bloke. If you’ve got a vagina you are a woman. Game over”, “You want to go softie-leftie, namby-pamby” before then taunting listeners with “If you’re listening to us this morning, you have a penis, but you’re a woman; call us now…got a $100 Retravision voucher to give away”.
When reminded that he might meet transgender women in his role as Lord Mayor and asked how he would handle that, Zempilas replied with “Handle the penis?”; a further taunt at transgender listeners.
These comments are obviously distasteful and narrow minded, with statements from Transfolk of WA and Youth Pride Network outlining exactly why. However, this lends itself to a broader question: What should we expect from elected leaders?
While Zempilas’ views are repugnant, it is his right to hold them as such — however disappointing they might be. There is no intention to here call in the thought-police and have Zempilas tried for thought crimes, but it is worth examining what his obligations are as not just ‘Zempilas the individual’ but as ‘Zempilas the Lord Mayor’. Post-election, it becomes tricky to delineate between the two figures. Zempilas the individual has been hosting 6PR since 2014 and has undoubtedly shared his views on a range of issues over this time; many of which might be disagreeable. What distinguishes Zempilas’ obligations now is the fact he now has constituents; he is not just an individual, but an elected representative.
Zempilas choosing to use his considerable platform — of which aided his election in the first instance — to share those views is a poor choice for an individual, but an irredeemable choice for an elected representative. To fulfil this role, a person must recognise that they have put themselves forward to serve those in their electorate, not rule them; democracy should not be seen as a kingmaker. Part of serving is acknowledging that your constituency is not a single homogenous group, nor is it only those who cast a vote in your favour; constituencies are varied and diverse, and overcoming the challenge of representing such diversity should be considered core tenet of the role. When challenged with this very notion, Zempilas shirked his opportunity to reconsider his stance with his “handle the penis” comment. Instead he doubled down on rhetoric that casts aside and humiliates his own constituents, telling those from this community residing in the City of Perth that he does not serve them. To treat these people as simply a means to an end — whether that end is further fame, financial interests, or unbridled ego — is a quality that must not be tolerated in our elected leaders.
A public platform as significant as Zempilas’ must inherently come with obligations and responsibilities. Regardless of his personal views, to share these messages as Lord Mayor gives license to those who would cause harm to Transgender people in Perth, and in Western Australia more broadly. It provides legitimacy to views that are contrary to the wellbeing of those who are already vulnerable. At its core, it dehumanises and humiliates human beings.
His previous comments regarding homelessness in Perth showed a glimpse of his dereliction of duty. To see those who are vulnerable as “a blight on our city” — especially when the difficulties he described are attributable to their vulnerability — showed a callous lack of regard for those he was seeking to serve. Prompt image rehabilitation was an obvious solution for a man on the campaign trail, but this raises another concern: the comments yesterday are unfiltered Zempilas. Free from the constraints of an election campaign, this is the messaging he has given voice to on his now considerably larger platform, and it is not fitting for a leader.
In taking on the Lord Mayor role, Zempilas made a declaration as per section 2.29 of the Local Government Act 1995 to “duly, faithfully, honestly, and with integrity, fulfil the duties of the office for the people in the district to the best of my judgement and ability”. It is clear that after only 9 days in office, this declaration has already rung hollow.
The Lord Mayor released a statement today, offering further apology for his comments. In it he told listeners that his comments “Were wrong, and don’t reflect how I feel” and expressed his disappointment in himself for making the comments in the first place. Much like his declaration, there is a profound emptiness to his words; unprompted comments of such a callous and cruel nature do not simply emerge from nothingness. Back peddling for political expedience might shift broader public attention from him, but it does not obscure the latent disdain he holds for some of his constituents.
It’s ironic that a man who campaigned on “rebooting Perth’s heart” would choose to use his newly delivered platform in such a cruel and heartless way.