Warrnambool city councillors have ignored an interstate push for local governments to join forces and back marriage equality.
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Byron Shire Council Mayor Simon Richardson sent a letter to every Australian council, asking them to proclaim support for marriage equality.
More than a dozen councils have supported Cr Richardson’s move so far, with plans to form a bi-partisan group of mayors to advocate for marriage equality.
Councillors debated the letter at Monday night’s briefing – five of them voting in favour of “parking” it and not taking any further action. Councillors Kylie Gaston and Jacinta Ermacora voted in favour of making the proclamation.
Mayor Michael Neoh said while he personally supported marriage equality, the view of the council as a whole had to be representative of the community.
“Until there is a plebiscite to referendum, it’s difficult to know what the community supports,” Cr Neoh said.
“Everyone is entitled to an opinion and each councillor is entitled to an opinion, the consensus was we don’t believe marriage equality is an issue for local government.”
Cr Gaston said denying same-sex couples the right to marry was discrimination.
“I think our country and most of the free world has moved on from that type of persecution,” she said. “Council can take an advocacy role on this, which I think is really important for young, same-sex-attracted people in our community to feel as though they are valued.
“I had considered a notice of motion, but then saw the letter and felt really comfortable with it. But majority rules.”
Cr Ermacora said federal legislation was discriminating against people in the community and she was disappointed the council had taken the stance.
Cr Peter Sycopoulis said he was in favour of same-sex couples being afforded the same rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples, but said the issue laid at the feet of federal legislators and not with local government.
Cr Brian Kelson said his support of marriage equality was well known, but he too did not believe it was a local government issue. Crs Peter Hulin, Rob Askew also said same-sex marriage was a federal issuebut did not make their personal view known.
A Moyne Shire spokesman said council had not debated marriage equality and it was not on the agenda.
A Corangamite Shire spokesman said the shire did not have a position on Marriage Equality and did not consider it to be an issue for local government.