Memorandum by the Chief Executive Officer
To Council:
Council
resolved to support a “Yes” vote in the Voice to
Parliament referendum through a program of information, awareness,
communications, events and community support.
This
memorandum provides Council with an overview of the City’s proposed campaign
activities to support the Voice to Parliament and notes funding has been
allocated for key elements of the campaign that will be undertaken to implement
the Council resolutions as set out below. This includes value in kind
sponsorship for three significant events in landmark venues (through value
in-kind sponsorship for venue hire).
Background
The Federal Government intends to hold a
constitutional referendum for the establishment of a Voice to Parliament. To
commence a referendum, a Bill is required that sets out the question to be
determined to pass both the House of Representatives and the Senate, or to pass
twice through one of those houses three months apart. Therefore, the final
timing and details of the referendum will not been known until this occurs.
Once a Bill has been passed, writs can be
issued, and a referendum will be held. It is most likely that this referendum
will take place later this year.
Activities in the six-month period prior to
the writ being issued are required to comply with the Referendum (Machinery
Provisions) Act 1984, particularly around the authorisation and publication of
material intended or calculated to affect the result of a referendum.
The City will ensure the campaign to support
the Voice will comply with legislative requirements, including any required
authorisation of referendum material and reporting in relation to expenditure
on the campaign.
The City was a major sponsor of the Sydney
Peace Prize which recognised the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The City
provided free tickets to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
leaders and representatives to attend.
This campaign implements Action 4.9 of the
City’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, which commits the City to consult
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community about the Uluru Statement
from the Heart to identify appropriate ways to support their aspirations.
This
campaign also responds to the following Resolutions of Council:
22 June 2022 – Item 3.1 – 2022 Federal Election
(a)
develop a resource kit for communities seeking to
hold public forums to inform communities about the proposed referendum, and
consider allowing City venues to be used for this purpose at reduced or no
cost;
22 August 2022 - Item
3.2 – Progressing the Uluru Statement from the Heart
(b)
investigate options for the City to conduct a campaign
in support of the “yes” vote in the proposed constitutional referendum;
(c)
investigate opportunities to 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;
20 February 2023 – Item
13.11 - Progressing the City's Campaign to Support the Voice to Parliament
Referendum
(d)
investigate working with and providing support,
including financial support and access to City venues, to recognised community
organisations who actively support and campaign for a “Yes” vote;
(e)
where appropriate, share information, resources and
materials about the Uluru Statement of the Heart and Voice to Parliament;
(f)
note that the Chief Executive Office is developing
a plan setting out action the City may take in support of a “Yes” vote for
consideration by Council;
(g)
bring the plan referred to Item 13.11 (A) (iv)
above to Council as soon as possible for consideration;
(h)
investigate the following for possible inclusion in
the plan: 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;
(i)
investigate the following for possible inclusion in
the plan: where appropriate, sharing information, resources and materials about
the Uluru Statement of the Heart and Voice to Parliament;
Free access to community venues for
small-scale events by eligible community groups is provided under the Council
resolution that:
12 December 2022 – Item
11.4 - Extension of Free Hire of Community Spaces for Local Community Groups
(a)
Council
included in the 2022/23 budget that venue hire be waived, and public liability
insurance coverage by provided for free, for local community groups;
(b)
the
Council decision provided free use of community halls, meeting rooms and other
community spaces for not-for-profit groups, where a group resides in or
provides services largely to communities in the City of Sydney. That is:
incorporated associations and unincorporated associations whose membership base
and purpose is within the City of Sydney Local Government Area. Government
agencies, political parties, and groups who do not reflect the Inclusion and
Equity principles in the City of Sydney’s Community Strategic Plan and other
City of Sydney plans such as our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and
Inclusion (Disability) Action Plan are not included.
The 2022/2023 Quarter 3 Review – Delivery
Program 2022-2026 report currently before Council seeks Council approval for
value-in-kind sponsorships to up to three not-for-profit community
organisations, unincorporated community groups or individuals auspiced by a
not-for-profit organisation to host free public events of over 500 attendees to
support the “yes” campaign. These value-in-kind sponsorships of up to $30,000
plus GST per event will contribute towards the venue hire, equipment hire and
staffing fees only associated with using an appropriate City venue, which may
include Sydney Town Hall, Lower Town Hall or Paddington Town Hall (pending
availability).
The City will prioritise care and compassion
for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, being mindful of
potential negative ramifications for community members. The City will actively
discourage any discrimination or racism and will uphold the principles of
self-determination. Respectful dialogue will be encouraged in all activities
related to the referendum.
Financial Implications
The campaign will be funded by Strategic
Development and Engagement and City Life budgets across savings in the 2022/23
operational budget and included in the draft 2023/24 budget currently before
Council.
Relevant Legislation
(a) Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act.
(b) Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918.
(c) (Cth) Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Act 1984 as amended by the (Cth)
Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Act 2023.
(d) Local Government Act 1993 s 356 relating to the provision of financial
assistance.
Critical Dates / Time Frames
The date of the referendum, details and
official materials will be provided by the Federal Government once all relevant
Bills have been passed.
It is resolved that Council:
(A) endorse the City’s communications and engagement activities to support the ‘yes’ campaign for the Voice to Parliament, including street banners, utilising library resources and community centres, providing information to the community through workshops and normal communications channels and a CityTalk event;
(B) note the cost of the communications and engagement campaign will be approximately $260,000, with additional costs of up to $90,000 to support up to three not-for-profit community events in venues, $160,000 in revenue foregone for street banners and $20,000 for community centre venues. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum-related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(C) note that information about the referendum will be provided to City staff, and that support will be provided to enable a safe, respectful and non-discriminatory work environment during this time;
(D) note that the 2022/2023 Quarter 3 Review – Delivery Program 2022-2026 report before Council seeks endorsement for provision of value in kind sponsorship for up to three public events related to the referendum as set out in that report;
(E) note the free venue hire of community spaces and free public liability insurance coverage, as endorsed by Council on 12 December 2022, to enable local community groups to host small-scale events and activities at City of Sydney facilities that provide opportunities for the community to discuss the referendum and Uluru Statement of the Heart - Truth, Treaty and Voice. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum-related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(F) endorse the Lord Mayor to authorise any material that requires authorisation, subject to any applicable legal obligations;
(G) note that in implementing this campaign, the City will prioritise care and compassion for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, being mindful of potential negative ramifications for community members. The City will actively discourage any discrimination or racism and will uphold the principles of self-determination. Respectful dialogue will be encouraged in all activities related to the referendum; and
(H) note that the City may be required to report and declare any financial assistance provided in accordance with the applicable legislation from time to time.
MONICA BARONE
Chief Executive Officer
Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), Seconded
by Councillor Kok –
It is resolved that Council:
(A) endorse the City’s communications and engagement activities to support the ‘yes’ campaign for the Voice to Parliament, including street banners, utilising library resources and community centres, providing information to the community through workshops and normal communications channels and a CityTalk event;
(B) note the cost of the communications and engagement campaign will be approximately $260,000, with additional costs of up to $90,000 to support up to three not-for-profit community events in venues, $160,000 in revenue foregone for street banners and $20,000 for community centre venues. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum-related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(C) note that information about the referendum will be provided to City staff, and that support will be provided to enable a safe, respectful and non-discriminatory work environment during this time;
(D) note that the 2022/2023 Quarter 3 Review – Delivery Program 2022-2026 report before Council seeks endorsement for provision of value in kind sponsorship for up to three public events related to the referendum as set out in that report;
(E) note the free venue hire of community spaces and free public liability insurance coverage, as endorsed by Council on 12 December 2022, to enable local community groups to host small-scale events and activities at City of Sydney facilities that provide opportunities for the community to discuss the referendum and Uluru Statement of the Heart - Truth, Treaty and Voice. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum-related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(F) endorse the Lord Mayor to authorise any material that requires authorisation, subject to any applicable legal obligations;
(G) note that in implementing this campaign, the City will prioritise care and compassion for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, being mindful of potential negative ramifications for community members. The City will actively discourage any discrimination or racism and will uphold the principles of self-determination. Respectful dialogue will be encouraged in all activities related to the referendum; and
(H) note that the City may be required to report and declare any financial assistance provided in accordance with the applicable legislation from time to time.
Amendment. Moved by
Councillor Jarrett, seconded by Councillor Gannon –
That the motion be
amended to read as follows –
It is resolved that Council:
(A) endorse the City’s communications and engagement activities to provide information about the Voice Referendum on a fair and unbiased basis, including street banners, utilising library resources and community centres, providing unbiased information to the community through workshops and normal communications channels and a CityTalk event in accordance with section 8A(1)(h) of the Local Government Act 1993 and the General Exclusions and Ineligibility provisions under the City of Sydney’s Grants and Sponsorships Policy;
(B) note the cost of the communications and engagement campaign will be approximately $260,000, with additional costs of up to $90,000 to support up to three not-for-profit community events in venues, $160,000 in revenue foregone for street banners and $20,000 for community centre venues. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum-related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(C) note that information about the referendum will be provided to City staff, and that support will be provided to enable a safe, respectful and non-discriminatory work environment during this time;
(D) note that the 2022/2023 Quarter 3 Review – Delivery Program 2022-2026 report before Council seeks endorsement for provision of value in kind sponsorship for up to three public events related to the referendum as set out in that report;
(E) note the free venue hire of community spaces and free public liability insurance coverage, as endorsed by Council on 12 December 2022, to enable local community groups to host small-scale events and activities at City of Sydney facilities that provide opportunities for the community to discuss the referendum and Uluru Statement of the Heart - Truth, Treaty and Voice. The total value of revenue foregone for referendum related use will be reported to Council alongside other community use as a supplementary report to the Operational Plan;
(F) approval is delegated to Council, with endorsement given to the Lord Mayor to authorise any material that requires authorisation, subject to any applicable legal obligations;
(G) note
that in implementing this campaign, the City will prioritise care and
compassion for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, being
mindful of potential negative ramifications for community members. The City
will actively discourage any discrimination or racism and will uphold the
principles of self-determination. Respectful dialogue will be encouraged in all
activities related to the referendum; and
(H) note
that the City may be required to report and declare any financial assistance
provided in accordance with the applicable legislation from time to time.
The
amendment was lost on the following show of hands –
Ayes (1) Councillor Jarrett
Noes (9) The
Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon*, Kok, Scott,
Weldon and Worling
Amendment
lost.
* Note –
Councillor Gannon abstained from voting on this matter. Pursuant to the
provisions of clause 10.4 of the Code of Meeting Practice, Councillor Gannon is
taken to have voted against the motion.
The
substantive motion was carried on the following show of hands –
Ayes (9) The Chair (the Lord Mayor,
Councillors Chan, Davis, Ellsmore, Gannon, Kok, Scott, Weldon and Worling
Noes (1) Councillor Jarrett.
Motion carried.
X094852.004
During discussion
of Item 4.1, Councillor Jarrett raised a point of order, stating that
Councillor Scott comments were an unfavourable personal remark.
The Chair (the Lord
Mayor) upheld the point of order.