Southern Downs Regional Council debates position of prayers and condolences at council meetings

A debate on the place of prayers and condolences at a regional Queensland council’s meetings caused division among councillors and ended in a very narrow vote. DETAILS.

The position of a traditional Christian practice saw a robust debate erupt in Southern Downs council chambers at a recent July ordinary meeting.

The place of prayers and condolences at the meetings of a regional Queensland local government area divided a chamber of councillors and erupted in a contentious debate on the position of a traditional practice.

It’s a topic that has previously divided councils across the state, with a similar motion considered by Fraser Coast Regional Council in 2022.

The move was led by an agnostic Fraser Coast councillor who asked his chamber to consider broadening the opening tradition to Buddhism, Islam and “inspirational” words of wisdom.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle also reported Brisbane City Council’s debated the same topic in 2020, ultimately deciding it would stay.

Southern Downs Regional Council 2024.

At Southern Downs Regional Council’s ordinary meeting on July 17 a new meetings policy was adopted, based on the state government’s “best practice example Standing Orders for local government and standing committee meetings”.

During discussions around the adoption of the new meeting policy, councillors debated whether or not there would be a change to the order of business to include prayers and condolences, or to have them before the official start of a council meeting.

Councillor Cynthia McDonald raised an amendment motion declaring the relevance of prayer for both community and chamber.

Ms McDonald reflected on the tradition of Christian prayer and its place which continues to remain at Australia’s highest form of government.

Cynthia McDonald

“This has been a divisive topic for many years and I would request on behalf of the community members I represent that the humble prayer remain within our meeting procedure,” she said.

The motion was segregated to allow councillors to vote on both the meeting policy and its order of business.

A further amendment motion was put forward by councillor Ross Bartley to reinstate condolences.

In voting against the inclusion of prayer in the order of business, councillor Morwenna Harslett expressed concern it could potentially see religious observance imposed on others who may not have the same persuasion.

“If we put it in the minuted part of the meeting that means we have to be part of it, and I don’t disagree that we shouldn’t do it nor do I disagree with the respectfulness of it and I don't want to take away anyone’s right to pray in whatever way they wish,” she said.

“I simply don’t understand why that can’t happen before the minuted part of the meeting commences, that way anybody who may not be Christian or may not wish to be part of that process doesn’t have to.”

Despite her personal position, mayor Melissa Hamilton also voted against the amendment motion.

Ms Hamilton said while 64 per cent of the community follow Christian beliefs, 36 per cent do not.

“If we are going to be cohesive we have to ensure that everyone has access to this chamber and feels comfortable within it,” she said.

Melissa Hamilton is the newest mayor of the Southern Downs

“Meetings need to be inclusive and welcoming and our challenge is to work in a way that responds to the cultural diversity within our community, while preserving what’s most democratic about it.”

In closing, Ms Hamilton asked Ms McDonald what the difference was in having a prayer five minutes into official business as opposed to five minutes before.

“Given that 64 per cent have a persuasion to Christianity and believe in God I would say to you that they would appreciate an acknowledgment,” Ms McDonald said.

Remaining councillors who voted against the motion were Joel Richters and Carla Pidgeon.

Seeking the inclusion; additionally voting in favour of the motion alongside councillor McDonald was Ross Bartley, Sheryl Windle, Russell Wantling and Sarah Deane.

Prayer and condolences has been reinstated in the order of business of council meetings and now includes an Acknowledgment to Country and a general business item.

Ms Hamilton told Warwick Daily News on Friday despite the robust discussion between councillors there was no lingering tensions.

“I think there might be some misconception around the purpose of the discussion,” she said.

“There was never any suggestion to not have a prayer, it was simply to discuss whether it should take place before or after the meeting commenced.”

The adoption of an amended meeting policy comes after council staff became aware the previous policy was overdue for a review and made a recommendation to adopt the statewide standard policy.

“It was a close vote, but the majority of councillors voted 5 votes to 4 to include prayers and condolences in the order of business,” Ms Hamilton said.

“I commend my fellow councillors for showing how we can have discussions around important issues such as this in a respectful way.”

Neither prayer or condolences are listed in the Queensland government’s best practice meeting policy, with any amendments to the order of business or agenda at each council’s discretion.