Michael Whelan, Mayor

9/9/2023

Late last year I joined 38 mayors from across Australia to sign a Joint Statement of Mayors in support of constitutional recognition through an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Forty-one mayors have now signed the statement.

Local government must play an important role in holding civic forums, promoting dialogue, and providing a platform for all voices to be heard.

In coming months the voters of Bass Coast will join with the rest of the country to vote on an issue of such importance to our community.

Council is proud to acknowledge the people of the Bunurong as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and waters. We recognise the unique diversity of the First Peoples here in Bass Coast.

Council is committed to an ongoing process of reconciliation and community strengthening through building strong organisational and community relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

The Voice to Parliament is an important – and overdue – part of our journey towards reconciliation and to building strong and meaningful relationships with the Traditional Owners of the land upon which we live and work.

As local leaders we are committed to building awareness in our community about the upcoming referendum.

Michael Whelan is Mayor of Bass Coast.

6 Comments

Rob Parsons

10/9/2023 04:02:30 pm

And 496 other Mayors did not sign.

Frank W Schooneveldt

10/9/2023 05:45:45 pm

I will be voting yes because the majority of those that gathered at the 2017 National Constitutional Convention asked for a Voice to be enshrined into the constitution.
This request was made by a huge majority of those at the convention who represent indigenous peoples across Australia.
This is the wish of our indigenous brothers and sisters.

Rob Parsons

11/9/2023 09:35:03 am

Every individual has a right to voice their opinion on the Voice either way, yes or no.

Local Council Mayors have absolutely no right to voice their opinion on behalf of their Councils or Ratepayers. It is a Federal Government issue and not a council issue. Next thing we know Mayors will be wanting to tell us how they would run foreign policy and defence and gather taxes.

Maybe it’s also the reason that the greater majority of Mayors throughout Australia know where their duties are. 41 out of 537 Councils signing an agreement is not a great majority and nothing for anyone to boast about.

In this post it has been stated that Local government must play an important role in holding civic forums, promoting dialogue, and providing a platform for all voices to be heard. That’s a joke. There is absolutely no platform whatsoever for any voices to be heard in Council. I know that my Council just wont even allow it. Certain Councillors won’t even reply to emails!

It is also stated “As local leaders we are committed to building awareness in our community about the upcoming referendum”. It’s not a Mayors job. It’s not Councils referendum. Here is an idea. Why don’t Council promote as local leaders Nuclear Energy in their area and reduce the cost of Electricity for their ratepayers. Whoops, sorry that’s not Councils job either. I am surprised that councils are not sprucing for electric cars and solar panels. But then that’s not their job as well!.

If council feels that they can improve the lives of aboriginal people regarding health housing and education then let them go for it. They would then have every right to voice their opinion on the voice. They can’t even build enough houses for the homeless in the area.

Maybe if councils just stuck to what they are paid for then their 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey would not be as bad as it is.

Stick to Roads, Rates and Rubbish which is what you are paid for.

Jeff Sim

11/9/2023 11:56:36 am

Maybe Cr Whelan is emboldened by Dan Andrews's Vic Treaty, coming your way without a pesky vote of the people!

Rob Parsons

12/9/2023 10:00:34 am

Jeff, you left out one word "Secret". Like the other Councils this Council has already been sworn to Secrecy by Dan Andrews (for Yes voters who don't believe me then check with the Councils up Mildura way!). Now this Council wants to shut everyone up and then tell them how to vote led by this man. Vic Treaty is only part of the problem. It's corrupt, undemocratic and just like communism its gone mad.

Frank W Schooneveldt

12/9/2023 12:19:36 pm

Firstly, I will be voting yes on the 14th October 2023 because we need to recognise indigenous peoples as the First Nation peoples of our country in the constitution.
And secondly I fully support a treaty for Victoria.

I have in front of me a photograph of a 500 year old river red gum tree that I took in the Gunbower State Forest Koondrook Victoria.
The photograph shows a scar of where our indigenous brothers and sisters cut the bark out of this tree to make a canoe.
You can clearly see that the tree is healing itself and could look forward to a long and happy life.
You can also clearly see where a white follow came along and ring barked the tree and thereby killed it.

This is why in believe in the Voice, Treaty and Truth.

Michael Whelan, Mayor

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