‘Not telling people what to do’: Sydney councils in Voice debate

Look at any Voice poll and you’ll see a community divided. Now Sydney’s councils have weighed in, with plenty voting Yes and others vowing to stick to rubbish collections. Which way is your council leaning?

Most of us want our councils to get on with clearing away rubbish and fixing potholes, but the Voice referendum has seen Sydney councils wading into the political debate.

Some councils have voted to support the Voice as an organisation, while others told The Sunday Telegraph it wasn’t the place of councils to take political stances.

Look at any poll and you’ll see – Sydney is divided over the Voice, and now our local government is as well.

The Sunday Telegraph asked every council in Sydney what their stances are. We found that 14 had resolved to support the Voice.

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone says the Voice is a federal issue. Picture: Richard Dobson

City of Sydney has been one of the loudest voices in support, last year passing a motion to not only publicly support the Yes cause, but to promote it as much as possible.

“While I am optimistic that the referendum will succeed, I propose that the City shows its support by conducting a campaign to help ensure a high “yes” vote as we did in support of marriage equality during the 2017 same-sex marriage survey,” Lord Mayor Clover Moore said in a mayoral minute.

City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The council controversially set aside free office space Town Hall House for the Yes23 team to operate their campaign in Sydney.

Among those joining Sydney in vocal support of Yes is the Inner West, Waverley, Willoughby, Mosman, Woollahra, Randwick, North Sydney, Lane Cove, Georges River, Cumberland, Parramatta and Canterbury Bankstown.

While no councils told us they were backing the No camp as an organisation, some mayors had strong views about those using ratepayer funds to wade into political debates.

“Council is focused on its core responsibilities of roads, rates and rubbish and getting the basics right,” Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun said.

Fairfield mayor Frank Carbone has directed his staff to take down any campaign material he sees around schools and other public property.

“There is already a lot of debate for our ratepayers to be informed and we are confident our residents are intelligent enough to make their own decisions. That’s what a referendum is about, people making their own choice, not us telling people what to do,” he said.

Hawkesbury Mayor Sarah McMahon has publicly declared her support for the No campaign, however council will not take a position.

Some mayors have come out in support of the Voice while keeping the council’s position neutral.

“Whilst personally I will be voting in support of the referendum, I believe it is important for residents to be informed and to come to their own decision on this important matter,” Canada Bay mayor Angelo Tsirekas said.

“Personally, I will be voting yes after conducting my own research and speaking with local Aboriginal elders.

Camden Council will be keeping neutral but mayor Ashleigh Cagney will vote yes.

“Camden Council respects that everyone has their own views and opinions on this matter. Because this is an important national matter, we will be doing everything we can to ensure our community is informed, understands what’s happening and feels empowered to make their own decision,” she said.