Lismore City Council will fly a rainbow flag in support of marriage equality and install nuclear-free signs at the entrances of the city as a result of two largely symbolic motions passed this week.
Cr Darlene Cook was successful with a motion to support marriage equality with only Cr Gianpiero Battista, a former candidate for the Fred Nile party, voting against.
The council will now write to all Federal members of Parliament and the Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission advising them of the council’s ongoing commitment and support for marriage equality.
Cr Cook said she moved the motion because she wants a genuine conscience vote on the issue.
With the backing of the majority of her fellow councillors, the council will now fly a rainbow flag or banner in a prominent place over the city until marriage equality is achieved.
Meanwhile, Greens councillor Vanessa Ekins also had a win with her motion to install nuclear-free signs at the entrances to the city.
The council will now write to the federal government and Page MP Kevin Hogan urging them to sign the proposed United Nations Treaty for the Banning of Nuclear Weapons Worldwide, scheduled to be signed by international governments on July 7th 2017.
‘In 1984 Council was declared a nuclear free peace zone and for many years there were signs at the entrance to the City reflecting this stance,’ she said.
‘Twenty years later council resolved to remove the signs. With the nuclear war rhetoric gaining national and international traction, it is time to make our policy known and signage at the entrances to our city is an effective tool.
The nuclear-free sign motion followed news last week that the NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro had told his recent party conference that political correctness was making politics ‘risk-averse’ and less likely to ‘look at solutions that might really benefit us in regional NSW,’ such as nuclear energy.
Mr Barilaro challenged NSW Labor leader Luke Foley to a debate over nuclear power in NSW, Foley accepted and suggested a public forum in Lismore as a debate venue.
This is a bit strange,
It must be remembered that the Rainbow flag and the Rainbow Nation refers to the Alternate movement and was adopted during the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin in 1973.
This is especially important to remember now that the entire world is starting to realise how important the tenets of non-violence,caring for the Planet,recycling, Alternate energy and self-sufficiency, are in any hope for a future. And this flag must fly over us all !
G”)
Where can I buy smaller versions of this wonderful flag to fly from the windows of my car (same size as smaller Australia Day Flags designed for same purpose) … as it, too, is a Nuclear Free Zone.
Congratulations to every City using this message at its entrance. Let it fly over the whole of Australia !
Although I am for marriage equality and am anti-nuclear I think our counsellors are working at the wrong level of government. Meanwhile our roads are treacherous for emergency services, noxious weeds line our country roads despite increased rates and effective flood management of the city and it’s sewage system needs review.Focus on the basic needs, infrastructure and planning please.
Council spends over $30,000,000 on roads or 21% of its budget. This excludes Federal and State spending on Federal and State Highways. It also excludes the money LCC will receive in flood assistance. Surely you don’t begrudge a few pennies on a flag and some signs. And as I never cease to say, not everyone thinks roads roads and more roads are a priority!
Many thanks to Cr Cook. Arts’ Action For Peace had an Italian “NO NUKES” restaurant named “Mamma Mia’s”
at Sherwood, Brisbane, in 1984… plus several ‘nuclear free’ Peace Parks. Fly the Flag. It is Time!
I can imagine the Greens Councillor Adam “Grandstand” Guise must be furious that Councillor Darlene Cook beat him to the punch in getting a rainbow flag to be erected by Lismore City Council. “Grandstand” tried for a rainbow crossing – RMS said no to that folly, then it was rainbow bike lanes – that went away as well and now a much saner Councillor has got a rainbow monument (albeit a flag) approved. Never mind “Grandstand” there is still rainbow mittens for telegraph poles!!