An election that counts
With Local Government elections on 13 September it seems like everyone wants to be our friends. Never before has the issue of homophobic violence taken such political precedence, with City of Sydney candidates of every stripe addressing the issue in their campaigns.
The most radical plan has come from the Liberals’ Shayne Mallard, with his call for van-loads of civilian city guardians to patrol the area. But without any real powers or means to protect themselves, what’s to stop these guardians from getting bashed themselves?
Ultimately the buck stops with the State Government and what level of resources it’s prepared to allocate to local police. Any solution from Council can only patch the holes that leaves.
Considering the age of many perpetrators, State laws that allow schools to opt out of anti-homophobia programs are another part of the problem that remains unaddressed -” with little will from Government in that regard.
Patrols by City of Sydney rangers may fill in some of the gaps and, while declared homophobia-free precincts might not have much effect on the thugs themselves, they should send a message to the businesses that serve them.
The campaign is also hotting up in the ring of GLBT-friendly councils that surround the city.
It seems some inner-west Labor candidates are so worried about being punished for the failures of the Iemma Government that they’re leaving the party off campaign material or using tiny logos in the hope of being mistaken for independents -” one Summer Hill candidate has even resorted to environmental slogans and colouring his posters green.
In Marrickville, GLBT issues are yet to enter the campaign, though many gay and lesbian voters will remember with pride the way local council Greens stood up to the Coalition, the State Government and The Daily Telegraph when they were attacked for providing material that was inclusive of same-sex families in their childcare centres in 2006.
Instead, an alliance of Labor and independent councillors has been trying to paint the Greens as environmental hypocrites over plans to upgrade the swimming pool in Enmore Park from 33m to 50m. The Greens support the upgrade, as currently the little-used pool is too small for school carnivals and is leaking water into the park.
State MP and retiring Labor councillor Penny Sharpe was also criticised recently for sending a black anonymous pamphlet to Marrickville voters listing supposed failures by Council over four years under Green and Independent control without any mention of its party origin. Expect more of the same -” with everything on the line for Labor, it should be an interesting campaign.
Andrew Potts writes an opinion column … and as such he is entitled to express those opinions. Some who post here seem to deny Andrew the basic right to express his thoughts while insisting that they have the right to express theirs. Empty accusations of bias and prejudice expose the writer … some of us lean to the left, some to the right. My expectations are that the Greens and the departed Australian Democrats offer a far more gay friendly presence than either the Liberals or the Nationals. The ALP seems to be playing both ends against the middle and is slowly being dragged kicking and screaming into delivering what they promised during the elections campaigns. Who knows what the council elections will yield. We can only hope to be informed enough to recognize the bigots and homophobes who are standing for local elections.
Hi Paul, there are currently 152 local government areas in NSW, with the greater Sydney area accounting for 38 of these. This number will most likely shrink in future with further council amalgamations.
Additionally, Lord Howe Island is officially part of the state of NSW but does not have an incorporated council, though it is self-ruled by a local board.
The so-called Unincorporated Far West Region of NSW which covers most of the border with South Australia and some of the border with Queensland has no local government representation at all, as although it covers 147142 square km of territory, less than three thousand people live across the entire region.
How many local governments are there in NSW?
It’s obvious you are not an active member of the Greens, cause if you were, you would be less likely to offer the staunch unblinking defence of them, worthy of Boxer the Loyal Horse in Animal Farm.
cf your classic defence of the dismal turnout at the same-sex rally (“it’s all Rudd’s fault”).
Stirring the pot has to include the pots of independents and greens. Without it, you become as predictable as Philip Adams or Piers Ackerman.
Hi Ben, I’m not now nor have I ever been a member of the Greens- or any other political party for that matter. This is not required of me, but I personally believe journalists, particularly opinion columnists, shouldn’t be active in political parties.
As a commentator on political issues within the GLBT community, until recently I’ve also avoided taking up membership with any of the various GLBT rights lobbies in this country. However I’ve had a rethink here and will be joining all of the relevant state and national groups, as in joining all I can maintain a level of professional independence while throwing in my two cents worth with each.
“State laws that allow schools to opt out of anti-homophobia programs are another part of the problem that remains unaddressed” Indeedy, Carmel Tebbutt wants her education portfolio back, and given the bloodbath in state parliament today is sure to get it. Remember the Daily Telegraph (under the headline “School sex furore: Students asked to imagine being gay”,) reported Ms Tebbutt had banned the anti-homophobia lesson? The President of the Secondary Principals Council wrote to her, “Teachers and especially PD teachers will see the response of the government as simply a disgraceful act of cowardice. Your reported response is even out of step with readers of the Daily Telegraph. When asked ‘do you think this subject matter should be taught in schools?’ 80 per cent responded ‘yes’. Your response certainly does not align well with other government and DET initiatives for dealing with homophobia.”
The Greens ran a hard campaign against her, accusing her of homophobia for her consistent failure to defend sexual diversity materials in schools. Ah, Ben, so who you gonna vote for?
As always, from the Greens Party headquarters to your keyboards, Mr Potts.