Yes supporters gathered for the council vote. By Catherine Watson
BASS Coast has joined the ranks of Victorian councils that have formally endorsed a Yes vote in next month’s referendum.
At Wednesday’s meeting, councillors debated whether the council should take a position before narrowly endorsing council support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament.
As of August 30, just 16 of Victoria’s 79 councils had endorsed a Yes vote, including three other rural shires: Yarra Ranges, Hepburn and Surf Coast.
BASS Coast has joined the ranks of Victorian councils that have formally endorsed a Yes vote in next month’s referendum.
At Wednesday’s meeting, councillors debated whether the council should take a position before narrowly endorsing council support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice to Parliament.
As of August 30, just 16 of Victoria’s 79 councils had endorsed a Yes vote, including three other rural shires: Yarra Ranges, Hepburn and Surf Coast.
The notice of motion was proposed by Cr Leticia Laing, the council’s representative on the Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group. “I have heard time and time again how important a Yes vote in the referendum is,” Cr Laing said.
| "Reconciliation is not a process that is done and dusted. It’s an ongoing process of healing. The Voice is a step in that process. Our role as councillors is showing leadership in issues that may go beyond what we believe personally." |
There were cries of “Shame! from a man in the public gallery after the motion passed, five votes to four. When the interjector refused to shut up, the meeting was adjourned and police were called in to escort him off the premises.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said it was a disappointing response after a respectful and measured debate by all councillors.
“The resolution today does not bind any councillor or seek to tell the community how to vote in the upcoming referendum.
“The Voice resolution today is a personally pleasing result that will enable Council to work closely with the Bass Coast Reconciliation Group and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community members.
“I was proud of the way councillors debated the motion on the Voice to Parliament today. It was respectful and thoughtful.
“I am disappointed that a member of the gallery dragged this debate down by his partisan interjections. It is a pity when individuals seek to make themselves the centre of attention seeking a photo in the paper and muddying the water around the real issues.”
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said it was a disappointing response after a respectful and measured debate by all councillors.
“The resolution today does not bind any councillor or seek to tell the community how to vote in the upcoming referendum.
“The Voice resolution today is a personally pleasing result that will enable Council to work closely with the Bass Coast Reconciliation Group and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community members.
“I was proud of the way councillors debated the motion on the Voice to Parliament today. It was respectful and thoughtful.
“I am disappointed that a member of the gallery dragged this debate down by his partisan interjections. It is a pity when individuals seek to make themselves the centre of attention seeking a photo in the paper and muddying the water around the real issues.”
For | Against |
 Cr Leticia Laing “No one knows how we are going to vote in the referendum. I could vote No. That is not something we are going to force people to change …This is about advocacy. This is about having a voice about the Voice.”  Cr Clare Le Serve “Bass Coast Community Vision 2041 states: ‘We are committed to reconciliation with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community members and to celebrate the learnings from their culture and heritage.” This policy was publicly exhibited and endorsed by council. This is an opportunity to assist in that reconciliation. I think our role is clear.”  Cr David Rooks “A lot has been written about the Voice. I’ll quote just one sentence from a letter to The Age. ‘By not voting Yes, how are you helping the First Nations people?’”  Cr Geoff Ellis “I’ve consulted widely and deeply about this. I had a sleepless night coming to this. People are going to be disappointed either way … I hope the morning after the referendum we can maybe take a deep breath and sit down and work out a path forward and not consider winners and losers. A bit of compassion at the end.”  Cr Michael Whelan As mayor did not participate in the debate but voted for the motion. |  Cr Brett Tessari “I don’t agree that we should bring this into this chamber. That’s not to say I disagree with a lot of the things that have been said by my colleagues. But I think this is another example of council pushing their views on our community and I don’t think our community agrees with it, and that’s who we’re here to support.”  Cr Ron Bauer “Bass Coast Shire must remain neutral … We must not be political on such a highly charged issue. If this motion is passed we will further erode the community confidence in councillors and council. We already have a terrible record with the community. This motion only fuels the flames of discontent.”  Cr Rochelle Halstead “I’m really saddened that this notice of motion has come before us today. In my opinion it is an assault on my own democratic right to privacy … I would go as far as to say that for the council to support this motion would be seen as an attempt at persuading our community in a referendum and for me that is completely and atrociously undemocratic.”  Cr Les Larke “My view is that council should be apolitical and any referendum vote left to individuals to make their own decisions rather than urging them to vote one way or another.” |