Hannah Hammoud
Brimbank council has adopted its controversial LGBTQIA+ action plan.
Councillors who were present at the council meeting on 22 November, back the plan and for the first time were able to discuss it without the meeting being adjourned because of disruption from the public gallery.
The LGBTQIA+ Action Plan 2024-28 contains a series of strategic actions that will be implemented to ensure the Brimbank LGBTQIA+ community feel included, empowered, safe and supported.
The action plan is the first of its kind for Brimbank and was informed by a series of community engagements that occurred over a 15-month period.
The draft action plan sets out how council can support, connect and uplift members of Brimbank’s LGBTQIA+ community.
The plan details four key focus areas and 27 key actions to be undertaken by council, including providing opportunities to celebrate, engage with and reflect on the LGBTQIA+ community through events such as the Midsumma Festival and IDAHOBIT Day.
The action plan has been an ongoing source of controversy following its initial endorsement in June, where the council meeting was adjourned for 15 minutes to allow security to escort disruptive residents, who were objecting the plan, out of the gallery.
Again in July, police were present at the council meeting in what council described as a “precautionary measure”.
At the August council meeting, council accepted a petition backed by councillor Maria Kerr, which had 97 signatories objecting to the action plan.
“I do not believe council is the right level of government to involve itself in state, federal and social issues. Subjects like religion, and sexuality should not be included in local council matters,” Cr Kerr said a the time.
Speaking at the council meeting on November 22, Cr Jasmine Nguyen said council is “dedicated” to making a difference for the LGBTQIA+ community in Brimbank.
“… it is important that we as a local council stand together, and put forward this LGBTQIA+ action plan to create a safe, inclusive and empowering place for our Brimbank communities.”
The adoption of the action plan was supported unanimously by all councillors present at the meeting – Cr Jasmine Nguyen, Cr Ranka Rasic, Cr Sam David, Cr Jae Papalia, Cr Thuy Dang and Cr Sarah Branton.
