By Luke Voogt
Flying the Rainbow Flag at City Hall year-round would be an inappropriate use of ratepayers’ money, according to a Geelong MP.
“The argument is not whether you believe in marriage equality or not,” Simon Ramsay said.
“Some councils seem obsessed with using public property and ratepayers money to pursue an agenda that is not the responsibility of local government.”
The West Victoria MP made the remarks after marriage equality advocates called on Greater Geelong to keep the flag year-round in last week’s Indy.
City Hall had raised the flag on 17 May for an international day against homophobia.
In parliament on Thursday Mr Ramsay made a speech slamming the Surf Coast Shire’s recent turmoil over the flag while there were “more pressing matters”.
“This was done with little consultation with the community and even less with the councillors who are tied in their support.”
Mr Ramsay said he didn’t have a view “either way” on marriage equality.
“I don’t see it as being a significant issue.”
Geelong priest Father Kevin Dillon said councils were better suited “tuning into areas which they are responsible for and can make changes.”
“I’m not a great fan of council getting involved in political and social issues, those levels of law which involve state and federal law.”
“I don’t necessarily want the council to go down the track of literally raising the flag where there are a variety of community perspectives.”
Fr Dillon said it would be “inappropriate” for the council to raise a flag for other political issues like “better funding for catholic schools”.
He said he supported civil unions between same sex couples but not marriage.
“But I think the people pushing for it have every right to do so and good on them for doing so.”
Surf Coast Shire councillors voted to raise the rainbow flag on 26 April but mayor Brian McKiterick used his casting vote to carry a motion to take it down on Tuesday.
Councillor Rose Hodge lodged a notice of recession deferring the decision until the shire’s 27 June meeting.
