Wyndham City Council to prepare report on LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee after councillors pass petition

Another Melbourne council will consider installing an LGBTQIA+ advisory group after a petition by 15 residents but the watchdog claims they “manufacture” expensive problems.

Wyndham City councillors moved a motion for the council to prepare a report regarding an LGBTQIA+ advisory committee at its May meeting on Tuesday the 29th. Picture: Facebook.

A western suburbs council will consider installing an LGBTQIA+ body despite the watchdog claiming the groups “manufacture” expensive problems across more than 20 local government areas.

Wyndham City Council will prepare a report after councillors passed a motion to consider an LGBTQIA+ advisory committee at its meeting on Tuesday night.

The motion was in response to a petition with 15 signatures it received last week that aimed to “draw the attention of the Council to the need to establish a … committee for Wyndham”.

The Victorian Pride Lobby’s ‘Rainbow Local Government’ campaign seeks to install the committees across the state. Picture: Allison Dinner

However, the watchdog was concerned about the allocation of resources and monies to advisory bodies and said councils needed to focus on solving problems.

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said local government has been at the forefront of employing LGBTQIA+ residents long before it was “trendy”.

“If there was a serious crime or discrimination issue to address, we would support that. This is more of a case of vested interest activists seeking to manufacture problems in local government, that only they can solve through expensive accreditations and workshops,” Mr Hurlston said.

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said the advisory committees “manufactured problems”. Picture: Kiel Egging.

“The only cases on record are those where these groups have incited residents who may be at odds with controversial issues like drag story time in Council libraries.

“Sadly, members have gone after anyone who does not agree with degendered council facilities or drag story time, this is what is causing the division and wasting large amounts of staff time managing the conflicting priorities.

“What alarms us is vested interests, follow the money!”

Wyndham City Council recently hosted former AFL star Danielle Laidley at an 'IDAHOBIT' event. Picture: Facebook

The Victorian Pride Lobby’s ‘Rainbow Local Government’ campaign looks to support LGBTQIA+ candidates and allies and has asked them to take a ‘rainbow pledge’.

The pledge includes a commitment to establish or continue an LGBTQIA+ advisory committee at their council, as well as undertake a ‘Rainbow Tick accreditation’ for council services and fly the rainbow flag from council buildings on LGBTQIA+ awareness days.

Campaign co-lead Sean Mulcahy said the vote was a step in the right direction to creating a safer and more inclusive community.

“Advisory committees are made up of volunteers who generously share their time. They provide valuable expertise to councils on issues affecting the local community,” Mr Mulcahy said.

“With this decision Wyndham has the opportunity to join more than 20 other Victorians councils.”

Wyndham City Council has also committed to flying the ‘rainbow’ flag on LGBTQIA+ awareness days. Picture: Facebook

Wyndham City Council did not respond to questions regarding the potential cost to ratepayers.

But a Council spokesman confirmed the motion was carried by all councillors, except councillor Heather Marcus who abstained.

The council will prepare a report to be presented at a future meeting.