As thousands are caught in the crossfire in Gaza, City officials have barred Geelong councillors from even discussing the idea of supporting a ceasefire in the war-torn area.
Councillors Sarah Hathway and Jim Mason submitted notices of motion calling for a ceasefire and the return of Hamas hostages, but were disallowed from doing so by Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie.
Cr Hathway said her motion was disallowed on the grounds it was “prejudicial”, an undefined term in council governance rules but used here to mean “anything that may put council officers or councillors at risk”.
“There was a view that if this were discussed in the chambers there was the potential to incite violence,” Cr Hathway said.
“I did try to explore it – I’ll acknowledge my motion was quite lengthy – but it was pretty clearly just shut down, not accepted, no further discussion.”
Similar motions have been passed at other councils around Australia, including the City of Canterbury-Bankstown in Sydney and the City of Merri-bek in Melbourne.
Cr Hathway said the City officials’ decision was not only “baffling” but “undemocratic.
“It wasn’t that long ago that councillors were attending vigils for Ukraine in their capacity as councillors, and rightly so,” she said.
“We lit up City Hall in blue and yellow, we put out statements and that wasn’t deemed to be prejudicial.
“There’s a real sense that this is the issue we can’t talk about.”
Ms Wastie declined to comment but Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said “there are other options being explored” to acknowledge the Gaza conflict.
“We are all horrified by what is occurring in Israel and Palestine and want to see an end to the suffering as soon as possible,” Mayor Sullivan said.
“The chief executive has made a decision based on council governance rules, which I understand and support.”
Free Palestine Geelong spokespeople Noor Al-Assafi and Yasir Ismat expressed their concern and confusion over the City’s decision to bar discussion on the conflict.
“The community is building stronger to ensure our elected representatives actually represent the concerns of the community and stand up for justice and peace,” they said.
“We invite all Greater Geelong residents to join us as we march for peace and an end to the genocide.”
Free Palestine Geelong’s march begins at noon at Little Malop Street on Saturday, November 25.
