Original motion moved by Councillor Scott,
seconded by Councillor Weldon.
(A)
Council
note:
(i)
on 22
August 2022, via a Lord Mayoral Minute, Council resolved to investigate
opportunities to:
(a)
conduct
a campaign in support of the ‘yes’ vote in the proposed constitutional
referendum to enshrine a Voice to Parliament and Government in Australia’s
Constitution; and
(a)
use our
library system, communications, talks programs and other means to advance the
truth-telling aspirations of the Uluru Statement of the Heart and Reconciliation
Australia;
(ii)
on
Saturday 18 February 2023, the Prime Minister announced that the Constitutional
Referendum would be held between October and the end of 2023;
(iii)
the
Commonwealth Government has announced its intention to hold the referendum
before the end of 2023 and possibly as early as August 2023;
(iv)
the
Chief Executive Officer is developing a plan setting out action the City may
take in support of a “yes” vote for consideration by Council;
(v)
community
organisations such as Reconciliation Australia, From the Heart, the Uluru
Dialogue and Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition are
preparing to support the campaign for a “yes” vote; and
(vi)
the
Lord Mayor, together with other Mayors around the country, has signed Mayors
for the Voice to Parliament Public Statement which commits them to informing
and educating communities about the Voice and starting conversations about how
this Referendum can deliver real reconciliation for our society; and
(B)
the
Chief Executive Officer be requested to:
(i)
bring
the plan referred to in (A)(iv) to Council as soon as possible for
consideration; and
(ii)
investigate
the following for possible inclusion in the plan:
(a)
working
with and providing support, including financial support and access to City
venues, for recognised community organisations who actively support and
campaign for a ‘yes’ vote; and
(b)
where
appropriate, sharing information, resources and materials about the Uluru
Statement of the Heart and Voice to Parliament.
The amended
motion was carried on the following show of hands –
Ayes (9) The
Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Scott,
Scully and Weldon
Noes (1) Councillor Jarrett.
Amended
motion carried.
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