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TAMWORTH, Australia - Recently voted one of the friendliest towns in Australia, Tamworth in New South Wales has rejected a small group of Sudanese refugee families amid charges of racism.
The town of 40,000 promotes itself as the capital of country music and one of the most progressive and exciting places in inland Australia.
The town council told the federal immigration department that it would not accept the African refugees.
The council voted six to three against the resettlement plan this week. While expressing fears that the town would be branded racist, councillors cited a survey of 500 locals which showed that only a quarter would welcome the families.
Councillors were concerned that Sudanese men would sexually harass Australian women, fail to find jobs and could bring with them diseases such as polio and tuberculosis.
Twelve Sudanese lived in Tamworth and had accounted for eight criminal offences, said the Mayor, James Treloar.
"They range from minor offences like traffic infringements and petty theft to more serious things, including an assault."
He rejected any idea that Tamworth was a racist town.
"We don't have the trauma and torture counselling facilities that these people need.
"Plus there are big cultural differences - Sudanese men find it hard to take orders from women."
There were also fears that an influx of African refugees could cause the sort of racial tension which last year led to riots in Cronulla, in Sydney.
Treloar pointed to the Queensland town of Toowoomba, where the settlement of 750 Sudanese refugees sparked a backlash by far-right white supremacist groups railing against an "African invasion".
The three councillors who voted in favour of accepting the refugees said they were dismayed by the decision.
"I was just stunned," said Warren Woodley. "It's racist and discriminatory but I believe the council does not represent the majority of Tamworth people, who think we should give these refugees a fair go.
"A few weeks ago we were voted the friendliest town in New South Wales. I feel like sending back the award."
The Rev. John Cox, the minister of a local church which had raised A$10,000 ($11,354) to help settle the Sudanese, said he was deeply saddened by the council's veto.
