21.7.09

Council’s Urgent Letter to the Premier

At the Ordinary Council Meeting of 23rd June, Council supported Greens Cr Geraldine Brooks’ urgent motion to write to the Brumby Government regarding the defunding of Reconciliation Victoria.

In a wonderful show of support for this important issue, all councillors voted for its adoption except for Cr Stuart Miller.

“I was appalled to have learnt that the Brumby Government would defund Reconciliation Victoria, especially without measures to build on its invaluable work,” said Cr Brooks.

This absolutely devastating situation means several communities across Victoria are now left without any reconciliation services, because Reconciliation Victoria had acted as the core body and serviced any areas that did not have an independent group. Reconciliation Victoria also carries out important work to address that the social determinants of Aboriginal health that are largely based on the attitudes, systems, lack of understanding and exclusion of Aboriginal people by the non-Aboriginal community.

I’m heartened that most councillors recognised the urgency of the matter, and agreed that Council could at least put our concerns in writing to the Premier.”

The letter from Council urges the Premier to intervene
“to reinstate ongoing funding to Reconciliation Victoria to send a clear message to the Victorian community about the Victorian State Government’s commitment to reconciliation and the prevention of racism”.

“It is important that many individuals and groups across Victoria voice their support for Reconciliation Victoria funding and tell the State Government that they think their response is short-sighted and hypocritical. We need to tell this government that reconciliation is important” Cr Brooks said.


For enquiries please contact Cr. Geraldine Brooks 93612693

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