HAWKESBURY Council will fly the rainbow flag from its chambers and display a banner encouraging people to vote ‘yes’ for same-sex marriage in the upcoming postal survey.
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At the August 29 meeting, councillors voted 9-2 in favour of a Notice of Motion moved by Greens councillor Danielle Wheeler.
The NoM called for Council to encourage people to vote ‘yes’, fly the flag and display the vote ‘yes’ banner during the campaign as well as host at least one event “in a prominent public space, with the aim of publicly showing our support, engaging with and informing the community.”
Liberal councillors Sarah Richards and Patrick Conolly spoke against the motion.
Cr Richards said it was not Council’s place to be advocating one way or another on a social issue.
“The Council should be staying out of the debate on this social issue and not dictate how people should vote,” she said.
Cr Wheeler said it was Council business because they were community leaders.
“Sometimes leaders have to stand up and support the vulnerable even when it's not directly written in our job description,” she said.
“Some of the people who pay our rates, drive on our roads and collect our rubbish are gay and they have every right to be treated as valuable members of this community.”
