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Residents and parents have ridiculed a Melbourne council's decision to ban gifts to kindergarten teachers, claiming it is stealing Christmas.
The move is a part of a blanket policy to prevent bribing of Yarra City Council officials from town planners to kindergarten teachers.
The decision has been met with criticism from councillor Stephen Jolly.
"I don't know how you can corrupt a childcare worker, by the way," Jolly said.
"Whether they give your kid a bit of extra Lego or an extra meat pie at lunch… I don't know."
Parent Olivia Zynevych brought mugs with tea bags and chocolates to staff at Gold Street Child Care but on council orders they will be donated to charity.
"They're taking the spirit away from Christmas," she said.
"It's a box of chocolates, it's not a bribe, it's just to say thank you."
The City of Yarra said in a statement a consistent approach is being taken across the workforce.
"We want our community to have confidence that all our staff act with integrity at all times," chief executive officer Sue Wilkinson said.
Adam Promnitz from the Yarra Residents Collective described the move as "political correctness gone completely mad".
"They're the Grinch that have stolen Christmas from their own staff," he said.
The consensus among critics is it is lazy policy, while the council is adamant it is simply doing what is right.
"I think even the Grinch would turn red with the policy of Yarra Council on this one," Jolly said.
"For God's sake, show some common sense."
