Save Reconciliation Victoria

I put this motion to the chamber as an urgent motion because within days the Brumby Government was defunding Reconciliation Victoria, putting to a halt its good work on reconciliation matters. This puts Victoria out of step with other State Reconciliation bodies and raises questions about the Victorian Government's commitments to 'closing the gap' in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and health outcomes.

$200,000 a year is meagre funds in the overall State budget for such important work as that performed by Reconciliation Victoria

Cr Marion Martin seconded this motion.

The urgency of the motion was lost on some councillors. Cr Margaret Guidice sought to defer the motion so that councillors could receive a briefing. Cr Sam David stated that he hoped to receive information on such urgent matters in advance. Cr Stuart Miller did not participate in the debate, but voted against the motion. Fortunately the motion got enough support to be carried.


See below from page 64 Minutes for Ordinary Council Meeting 23rd June 2009
http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/Files/278MIN_230609.pdf

Urgent Business
Procedural Motion
Moved Cr Brooks / Seconded Cr Martin

That an Item of Urgent Business be considered in relation to the defunding of
Reconciliation Victoria by Premier Brumby.

Motion
Moved Cr Brooks / Seconded Cr Martin

That Council write to Premier Brumby condemning the defunding of Reconciliation
Victoria

Amended Motion
Moved Cr Giudice
That Council write the Premier immediately and that Councillors receive a briefing or
briefing note from our General Manager on the impact this would have on Brimbank,
and what reasons the Brumby Government would have behind doing this.

Accepted by Mover Cr Brooks and Seconder Cr Martin and Carried.

For: Cr Martin, Cr Seitz, Cr Shamon, Cr Siu, Cr Bozinovski, Cr Brooks,
Cr David, Cr Giudice, Cr Kiselis, Mayor Cr Atanasovski
Against: Cr Miller