Is same-sex issue a council matter?

WARRNAMBOOL CITY

Mayor Jacinta Ermacora: “I support marriage equality. Marriage is a state recorded institution conducted according to the Marriage Act, and documented by a government department ‘Births Deaths and Marriages’ and therefore must not discriminate against any member of our society. We each have a right to be equal before the law. People’s religious beliefs are a personal matter.”

Jennifer Lowe: “I’m not aware the issue of same-sex marriage is in local government’s jurisdiction. Local councillors are not qualified to make this decision nor would they necessarily represent the majority view. Most ratepayers I believe would agree that council has far greater priorities. However, my personal opinion would be to desire to uphold the principles of non-discrimination and equality, rather than condemnation and judgement of others, so I would personally support it.”

Michael Neoh: “Given it is a federal issue I’m not sure the seven councillors were elected on the basis of reflecting the individual views of the approximately 18,000 voters on same-sex marriage. It is my understanding that same-sex couples do have some acknowledgement as ‘partners’ for various legislative definitions and rulings. I therefore have no personal issue with legal acknowledgement of same-sex couples or same-sex marriage. I also think marriage ceremonies are not exclusive to churches given many people use celebrants. If same-sex marriage is legislated it will test churches on how inclusive they really are.”

Peter Hulin: “In my role as a councillor I have never been approached by any citizens voicing their concerns on this matter. I have many important issues citizens raise with me to deal with and these take considerable time.”

Rob Askew: “Same-sex marriage is not a council issue. Pushing personal moral opinion from councillors could create unnecessary unrest.”

John Harris: “This is a federal matter rather than local government. I don’t have an issue with same-sex people and I’m neither here nor there on the marriage issue. I just don’t think councils should be involved in this.”

Andrew Fawcett: “It’s a federal government decision, a bit like the fluoridation issue which was totally a state government directive. Councils have enough local issues to deal with.”

MOYNE

Mayor Jim Doukas: “Hepburn Shire have a reputation for making these grand statements but it means little when it comes to changing anything. Councillors are free to have their own points of view but I don’t believe we should be making broad, sweeping statements and something that local government has no control over.”

Jill Parker: “It’s not really for me to comment on how Hepburn Shire operate. I think we have more pressing matters in the Moyne Shire like the upcoming budget. State and federal governments are better placed to handle this issue.”

Bernie Harris: “It’s pretty ordinary. Councils have got better things to do than grandstand on issues.”

Ken Gale: “Councillors can not comment on potential council motions until those particular issues are raised in council.”

Colin Ryan: N/A*

James Purcell: “I will always 100 per cent oppose same-sex marriage. For me, marriage is a union between one man and one woman.”

Mick Wolfe: “While councillors naturally have an opinion on matters, their decision or vote should be based on providing best representation for their constituents. As, at this stage, this is not known how can we vote as a representative of them. The Hepburn motion asks the federal government to amend an act. I believe a more appropriate motion would have been for Hepburn or any other council to ask the government to have a referendum on the matter and then act in accordance of that result. I would support a motion for a referendum only.”

CORANGAMITE

Mayor Matt Makin: “It’s a complicated issue but I’d like to form an opinion after more active consideration.”

Chris O’Connor: “I have my own views on same sex marriage but it is not something I would comment on as a councillor.”

Steve Cumming: declined to comment.

Jo Beard: “Personally I would rather not comment as this topic has not been brought before our council at this point in time.”

Ruth Gstrein: N/A

Geoff Smith: “It’s an issue that doesn’t concern local government. As an organisation I wouldn’t support council putting a motion forward on it either way.”

Michael Absalom: “We haven’t discussed it as a council, so I wouldn’t be prepared to make a comment on behalf of council.”

COLAC-OTWAY

Mayor Stephen Hart “I’d have to do what I do with all matters before council — I’d have to get background on the matter and find out what the implications are and what the legal issues are before I could support the resolution. I don’t know how would vote on that particular motion from Hepburn Shire. But I admire Hepburn Shire for taking a position on the issue and they deserve to be congratulated.”

Chris Smith: “I would vote as vehemently as I could to retain marriage as the union of man and woman for life to exclusion of all others. Absolutely vehement about that. If same sex couples want to get together and call it a union or call it what they like that’s fine. But marriage’s definition is sacrosanct — it’s between a man and a woman.”

Frank Buchanan: N/A

Stuart Hart: N/A

Geoff Higgins: “I suppose I would support it, but it’s not something I’m worried about. It takes all types to be in this world.”

Brian Cook: “I have a belief that what people do with their private lives, they’re entitled to do, so along those lines, I don’t have a firm view against people deciding to commit for life. I’d need to see how it was put, but in general terms don’t have an issue with people wanting to commit for life.”

Lyn Russell: “There are a lot of homophobic people out there, but people have the right to live their own lives, so I would support it.”

SOUTHERN GRAMPIANS

Mayor Bob Penny: “I would be very surprised if a motion like that was put up by our council. I think council should stay out of it. Council has no right to impose personal beliefs.”

Bruach Colliton: N/A

Paul Battista: “I support same-sex marriage. I believe in everyone’s right to decide who their partner is and be happy together, and that’s the way it should be. In this day and age, if people pick a partner, they should be able to spend their life together.”

Albert Calvano: N/A

Katrina Rainsford: N/A

Marcus Rentsch: “Council’s have specific roles and making comment on that is not appropriate.”

Don Robertson: “I have no problem with same-sex couples. I think I would have to consider more the issue of same-sex marriage. In my head marriage is a tradition between a man and a woman. But I don’t think it is a local government issue.”

GLENELG

Mayor Gilbert Wilson: “I support gay marriage. I believe it’s people’s rights if they feel that way that they should be able to marry.”

Bruce oss: “I have no problem at all with the issue, but before I comment I always like to see the matter in the context of where it is. But in principle I’m not opposed to same-sex marriages.”

Geoff White: “Can’t tell how I’d vote at this stage. I’m not prepared to identify a position — depends on what’s put before me. I’m not going to answer (where I stand morally on the matter).”

Robert Halliday: “It’s certainly against my principles but I’m a person that likes to let people live their own lives. I suppose it wouldn’t affect my life, so I don’t think I would vote against it. I doubt whether I’d oppose it. But I would prefer not to vote.”

Karen Stephens: “I’d have to look at the motion and obviously I’d have to assess if local government can make a difference in that. My immediate answer is we can’t change anything like this at a local government level. I would have to talk to my constituents. My personal view might not be what the ratepayers want, so my personal view doesn’t come into it.”

John Northcott: “I’d vote against it. I’m a heterosexual, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant with various prejudices. I don’t think issues like this are what local government should be involved in. It’s not worth worrying about.”

Ken Saunders: “I would support it. It’s about time — it’s been hidden in the closet for a long time. Same-sex marriage — I believe in it.”

* N/A: Not available