Peace dove by Elembis, Sammy pompon and Mark Miller (Previouly Amadscientist), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons By Oliver Jobe
AT THE July meeting of the Bass Coast Shire Council I was informed that the question I had submitted was disallowed under Clause 54.6.1 of the council’s governance rules “because it relates to a matter outside the duties, functions and powers of council”.
My question was: “In light of the recent statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the continued blocking of aid into Gaza, will Bass Coast Shire Council condemn the blocking of aid by Israel and call for a ceasefire not only within the council but in meetings with the Member for Bass?”
I believe that when considering our role in what is currently happening in Gaza, especially considering the blocking and restriction of aid, we all have a role to play, including local councils.
AT THE July meeting of the Bass Coast Shire Council I was informed that the question I had submitted was disallowed under Clause 54.6.1 of the council’s governance rules “because it relates to a matter outside the duties, functions and powers of council”.
My question was: “In light of the recent statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the continued blocking of aid into Gaza, will Bass Coast Shire Council condemn the blocking of aid by Israel and call for a ceasefire not only within the council but in meetings with the Member for Bass?”
I believe that when considering our role in what is currently happening in Gaza, especially considering the blocking and restriction of aid, we all have a role to play, including local councils.
Many councils in both Melbourne and Sydney have passed ceasefire and Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) motions. They include Darebin, Merri-Bek and Wyndham in Victoria, and Randwick, Inner West and the City of Sydney in New South Wales.
By passing those motions, our council would be saying they want an end to a war that the International Court of Justice considers illegal and that UN Secretary General António Guterres has labelled a genocide.
Bass Coast Shire Council refuses to even allow for a debate or for Gaza to be considered, and that is dangerous.
Our council doesn’t want to acknowledge that they have a role to play, but they do. I have talked to many people in this area and listened to their stories. One person came to a local gathering and through tears spoke about the senseless loss of innocent lives. Palestinian families have shared stories of their families and how most of their loved ones are gone.
Those stories are the reason I advocate for the people of Palestine; it is for them and their families that I call on our council to act on these issues in whatever way they can.
What are those ways? Well, it’s simple. The council can pass a ceasefire motion, advocate in meetings with our local MLA Jordan Crugnale, and pass a BDS motion. Those three things are simple and all within the duties and functions of the council.
Why has this not been done yet? Three current councillors signed the We Vote for Palestine pledge before the election last November. Candidates were queried on issues including calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from financial ties with Israel. One of the councillors has regularly attended gatherings and events run by the local group Bass Coast for Palestine. The rest did not sign, including Cr Ronnie Bauer whose social media profiles include the Israeli flag. The stance of the other five councillors on this issue remains unclear.
This issue is complex and difficult to understand just from the headlines of tabloid journalists. I encourage people to look deeper, including into the history of Palestine and Israel’s creation. Look at the history, take some time to learn, and maybe then we as a society can move forward and choose to be on the right side of history.
By passing those motions, our council would be saying they want an end to a war that the International Court of Justice considers illegal and that UN Secretary General António Guterres has labelled a genocide.
Bass Coast Shire Council refuses to even allow for a debate or for Gaza to be considered, and that is dangerous.
Our council doesn’t want to acknowledge that they have a role to play, but they do. I have talked to many people in this area and listened to their stories. One person came to a local gathering and through tears spoke about the senseless loss of innocent lives. Palestinian families have shared stories of their families and how most of their loved ones are gone.
Those stories are the reason I advocate for the people of Palestine; it is for them and their families that I call on our council to act on these issues in whatever way they can.
What are those ways? Well, it’s simple. The council can pass a ceasefire motion, advocate in meetings with our local MLA Jordan Crugnale, and pass a BDS motion. Those three things are simple and all within the duties and functions of the council.
Why has this not been done yet? Three current councillors signed the We Vote for Palestine pledge before the election last November. Candidates were queried on issues including calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from financial ties with Israel. One of the councillors has regularly attended gatherings and events run by the local group Bass Coast for Palestine. The rest did not sign, including Cr Ronnie Bauer whose social media profiles include the Israeli flag. The stance of the other five councillors on this issue remains unclear.
This issue is complex and difficult to understand just from the headlines of tabloid journalists. I encourage people to look deeper, including into the history of Palestine and Israel’s creation. Look at the history, take some time to learn, and maybe then we as a society can move forward and choose to be on the right side of history.