No fur ban for Burnside Council as councillors reject Julian Carbone’s proposal
Burnside Council has chucked out an “embarrassing” proposal to ban the sale of fur on council land, which would have spelt the end of the popular Akubra hat at community markets.
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Akubra hats may continue to reign in Burnside, with the council roundly rejecting a councillor’s “headline grabbing” call to ban the sale of fur at markets.
Julian Carbone’s proposal would have resulted in products made from fur and exotic animal skins being banned from sale and display on council land.
All but two councillors rejected the idea – but not before one suggested it be extended to items such as foie gras.
Cr Grant Piggot described the proposal as “disappointing” and said suggesting it was “really poor form”.
“I do struggle with the motivation of Cr Carbone,” Cr Piggot said.
“What has happened here, I think, is a grab for headlines, for Facebook likes and I feel that’s really disappointing.”
Cr Henry Davis said the sale of fur was a federal issue and that the proposal was “virtue signalling”.
“It’s completely outside of our jurisdiction, and frankly I think it’s embarrassing and it’s a great example for the Local Government Minister for why he thinks our rates should be capped.”
An Advertiser online poll of more than 1200 people found 90 per cent of respondents were opposed to the fur ban.
Cr Paul Huebl, who was the only other councillor to support the ban, suggested it could have been extended to stopping the sale of things such as caged eggs and foie gras at markets.
“I think the fact we’re only limiting it to fur is a bit of a lost opportunity if we do want to make a stance on animal cruelty,” Cr Huebl said.
Cr Carbone said he wanted to be on the “front foot” and expressed his disappointment at his colleagues.
“Whether it’s legal or not, whether you can enforce it or not, sometimes taking a stand and a position on something is just as important, if not more important,” he said.
Burnside chief executive Chris Cowley said the rule would have been difficult to enforce and he would have been loathe to waste council resources on it.