Liam McNally
The war in Gaza was the subject of debate among councillors and the public at a Melton council meeting on Monday, February 26, with council opting for an official position that “international matters is a responsibility of international leaders”.
The council meeting with Cr Lara Carli bringing a matter of urgent business forward in the agenda due to what she called an increasing volume of correspondence to councillors.
Cr Carli had four points in her motion, that council “acknowledges the deep concern and grief some members of our community experience as a result of international conflicts”, “condemns any conflict that result in the loss of innocent lives”, “recognises that council’s responsibility is in providing good governance and services for the wellbeing of the City of Melton community, and that representation regarding international matters is a responsibility of international leaders and the federal government”, and that council “will share correspondence received in relation to any international matters to our local federal Members of Parliament”.
All councillors voted in favour of the motion, except for Councillor Steve Abboushi, who abstained. At the December council meeting he and Councillor Goran Kesic had specifically called for ceasefires in Gaza.
Councillor Bob Turner said Melton is one of the most multicultural cities in Australia and it’s council’s role to support all of them.
“I’m not able to take sides in conflicts and disadvantaging our residents from one side or the other…National issues should be left to the federal government,” he said.
Cr Abboushi said he understands Cr Turner’s position but believes that it’s important to stand up to segments of the community when it comes to any issues whether it’s international, national or local issues.
Almost half of the 24 public questions asked of councillors at the meeting were about the conflict, centred around claims that council was failing to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinian people and wasn’t directly addressing questions on the issue from the community.
Council officers maintained that Melton residents are treated equally and made points similar to the position taken at the beginning of the meeting.
Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg said she had also received a lot of emails in relation Palestine and Israel conflict.
“At all junctions I’m anti violence and anti war for it is the people that suffer the most as hospitals are filled with innocent people,” she said.
“As a First Nations woman I understand this issue and the complexities surrounding an outcome for everyone, but we need peace.”
