Briffa sits out re-election contest

Hobsons Bay councillor and former mayor Tony Briffa did not stand for re-election last Tuesday after serving out the 2011-12 term, with new mayor Angela Altair elected unopposed.

Briffa, the state’s first intersex mayor, has spearheaded the push in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs towards more LGBTI events since elected as a councillor in 2008, such as the council’s Go West events that coincide with Midsumma.

In April, Briffa steered the council to support marriage equality and lobbied the federal government for change.

“I had a very successful and enjoyable term and leave it full of pride,” Briffa told the Star Observer.

“Highlights of my mayorality for me… was being the first mayor to march in Pride march wearing full robes and chain of office, it was wonderful,” Briffa said.

“The thing about that was it the symbolism behind it, having the head of a council, head of a community marching in official robes and mayoral chains in the Pride March to show support for our community.”

The Cherry Lake councillor was also influential in this year’s IDAHO celebrations in Melbourne’s west.

Three out of four Melbourne councils that celebrated IDAHO Day were from Melbourne’s Western Suburbs, including Hobsons Bay, Brimbank and Wyndham.

Briffa said the Hobsons Bay Council had also integrated queer events into mainstream calendar such as Seniors Month and Youth Week.

“For me, the Go West [program] isn’t just Hobsons Bay its the whole western suburbs,” Briffa said.

“I’m glad of what I’ve been able to do, I’ve been able to show leadership in our community and with that, to also ensure the queer community in Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Maribyrnong, also partnered with us in supporting our community.”

Briffa said there were councils across the country looking at Hobsons Bay and replicating its efforts.

“We’ve shown a great example in the Western Suburbs of what other councils across Australia should be doing can now,” Briffa said.

“One of the other things that I have to say was a highlight in my mayoral term was raising the rainbow term in front of the council chambers on IDAHO day which was also replicated by a number of other councils in the Western Suburbs.”

Briffa was elected mayor in December last year but has faced local controversy after Cnr Peter Hemphill took Briffa to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over allegations of misconduct.