Shire receives petition about LGBTIQA+ committee

THE Surf Coast Shire has bent its own rules to accept a petition urging the shire to start a LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee.

Councillors received a report on the 25-signature petition set up by Rainbow Local Government at their meeting last month.

According to its website, Rainbow Local Government is a campaign co-ordinated by the Victorian Pride Lobby, which works towards equality, social justice and advancing human rights for lesbian, gay, queer, bisexual and same-sex attracted Victorians.

“There is a need for councils to engage with and provide support to their local LGBTIQA+ communities,” Rainbow Local Government states.

The officers’ report to councillors states the petition does not meet the definition of a petition under the shire’s Governance Rules, specifically that it must be “signed or electronically endorsed by at least 10 people whose names and physical addresses also appear, and on which each page of the petition bears the wording of the whole petition”.

Officers note this rule is designed “to ensure that petitions aresigned by individuals who are fully informed of content of the petition, and to verify that there has been no duplication”.

Non-conforming petition can only be accepted if the council resolves to do so, and officers recommended that the council accept the petition “in the interest of facilitating public participation in democratic process”.

“Officers have assessed the petition and consider that it was completed in good faith, and any risks associated with non-conformity are low.”

Cr Mike Bodsworth and Cr Rose Hodge successfully moved the petition be accepted.

Cr Heather Wellington said seven of the shire’s nine councillors had previously signed a public pledge to support the development of a LGBTIQA+ advisory committee, with herself and Cr Paul Barker the only two non-signatories.

“I just wonder where that sort of places the council in going through the motions of considering this, and whether or not that will be formally declared.”

Although Cr Wellington voted for the motion, Cr Barker was the lone vote against, making the final vote 7-1.

Cr Barker said he could not support it as the petition did not conform with the Governance Rules.

“I acknowledge there are members of our community who generally fit in the rainbow community.

“However, many do not subscribe to the political movement that has adopted this emblem.”

Officers will prepare a report in response to the petition for a future council meeting within three months.