Hobsons Bay Council: Council Watch’s Dean Hurlston slams handling of Palestine vote
A Melbourne council has been slammed for its handling of a petition that would see the Palestinian flag fly atop its chambers.
West
Don't miss out on the headlines from West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Melbourne council has been slammed for its handling of a petition regarding support for Palestine as a recent survey showed ratepayers want councillors to stick to roads, rates and rubbish.
Hobsons Bay councillors are expected to vote on a petition urging the council to call for an immediate ceasefire, condemn Israeli forces, and commit to flying the Palestinian flag outside its chambers, among other requests at its meeting on Tuesday night.
The council received the petition last month which also called upon it to recognise the bombing of Gaza was extremely traumatising for residents, acknowledge that violence can only be resolved by the withdrawal of Israel from occupied Palestinian territories, and note the conflict did not begin in October but rather 75 years ago.
While the councillors are expected to receive and note the petition, a follow-up motion from Tony Briffa tabled for the meeting has been slammed by the council watchdog.
Ms Briffa’s proposed motion will acknowledge that while the council has no “authority or powers” in relation to international conflicts, it “nonetheless condemns violence and human rights abuses”.
The motion will ask that council express its sympathy to residents impacted by conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world, including Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar.
It will also ask the council to reaffirms its commitment to considering human rights implications when choosing service providers and its commitment to diversity and opposing discrimination.
Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said while he openly spoke out against councils grandstanding on international affairs, this was a separate issue.
In emails to the council, seen by the Herald Sun, Mr Hurlston said the motion was “absolutely ill conceived”, a “nothing burger”, and a “serious safety risk” to staff and councillors.
“I do not see how governance and the CEO could permit such a motion knowing how strongly the Muslim Community and others are pushing for tougher motions,” Mr Hurlston said.
“It should have been rejected by governance as it has in my opinion opened the door to some serious potential safety issues.
“In my view this is a complete governance failure on the CEO and staff to ensure a safe workplace for all involved.”
Mr Hurlston said it was so weak that it would “offend Muslims and Palestinians”, “offend Israeli or Jewish persons”, and could be construed as anti-Semitic.
It comes after a Council Watch survey revealed ratepayers had urged Victorian councils to shift their focus back to rubbish and roads.
A Hobsons Bay Council spokesman said it observed safety protocols and meets its obligations in accordance with legislative requirements.
Motorcyclist dies after Bass Coast crash
A 21-year-old Werribee man has died after his motorbike crashed into a road sign in Cape Paterson.
Sobbing killer driver sentenced over death of mate
A speeding, boozed-up Melbourne woman who crashed her ute, killing her mate while both were returning from a visit to a friend’s grave sentenced in court.