Liverpool Council votes to donate $20,000 to humanitarian crisis in Lebanon

A Sydney council has pledged $20,000 to support a cause on the opposite side of the world, matching the amount it spent on its mosquito management plan in the financial year before an insect plague that pushed its residents to the brink.

The Lebanese flag. Picture: Supplied

A southwest Sydney council has pledged $20,000 to support a cause on the opposite side of the world, matching the amount it spent on its mosquito management plan in the financial year before an insect plague that pushed its residents to the brink.

But one of the councillors who voted unanimously in favour of the donation has now backflipped, calling for the council to be reimbursed so it can be redirected to the local community.

At last month’s meeting, Liverpool Council approved the donation of $20,000 to AusRelief, which is providing humanitarian aid in Lebanon, expressing solidarity with the local Lebanese community amid the ongoing conflict in the country’s south.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the donation, proposed by Liberal councillor Richard Ammoun, with the aim of funding blankets before the cold sets in during the Lebanese winter.

However, independent councillor Peter Ristevski has since backflipped on his vote, tabling a motion to be discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting for council.

A Lebanese flag painted on a damaged building in the southern Lebanese village of Meiss El-Jabal last month. Picture: Jalaa Mare/AFP

Mr Ristevski has called on the council to apologise to the federal government for failing to recognise its $2m donation to support civilians in Lebanon.

He also wants the council to request the state government to match its $20,000 donation so the council’s funds can be returned and transferred to a community grants budget.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun.

Liverpool councillor Peter Ristevski.

The council has already flagged the need to increase its spending on mosquito management following the recent infestation that inundated homes and businesses.

Other local projects in need of cash include the Carnes Hill Aquatic Centre, following a budget blowout that is set to halve the length of a new pool, and upgrades to a road that will connect the area to the new Western Sydney Airport.

Mr Ristevski said not making the humanitarian donation would align with comments made late last year by Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun, who said local government had “no role in international politics”.

Mr Mannoun has been contacted for comment.

People displaced by announcements of Israeli airstrikes shelter at the entrance to a Beirut medical centre on November 26. Picture: Ed Ram/Getty Images

Acting council chief executive Jason Breton said the $20,000 donation had been endorsed by the council.

“Liverpool City Council is a model of cultural diversity and inclusivity,” he said.

“Liverpool serves as a refuge for migrants and refugees with 43 per cent of our population born overseas (according to the 2021 Census).

“Councils have a collaborative partnership with multicultural community leaders and targeted support services that are helping community members affected by conflicts around the world, particularly in the Middle East.”

According to the Lebanese health ministry, 3768 people have been killed in Lebanon, with more than one million people forced from their homes since October last year, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and terror group Hezbollah.

Mr Ammoun, a Liberal, said during the last council meeting the conflict had “severely disrupted essential services, destroyed critical infrastructure, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people” as more than 175,000 Lebanese and Syrians had fled to Syria to escape the violence.

“Liverpool has a deep connection to Lebanon through our vibrant Lebanese-Australian community,” he said.

“This motion calls for council to provide immediate assistance, demonstrating our city’s commitment to international humanitarian efforts and solidarity with those impacted by this crisis.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2.2 per cent of Liverpool’s population was born in Lebanon, and 11 per cent of residents had at least one parent born in Lebanon.

Deputy mayor Peter Harle said during the last meeting while he “fully supports the effort”, the council was offering was a “pittance” compared to what the federal government was providing.

“It’s a token effort, so I won’t be voting against it, but this is a pittance to what is needed,” he said.

Mr Breton said he would “conduct due diligence” to make sure “as much of the $20,000 hits the floors”, irrespective of where that sat in comparison to state or federal funding.

In September, Foreign Minister Penny Wong pledged $2m in humanitarian aid to Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon.