Stonnington is again showing strong industry leadership pushing for improved occupational safety for Council staff and Councillors.
Deputy Mayor Cr Tom Humphries attended the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council on 10 October, to put forward an important motion which was strongly supported by the membership.
Together with Yarra Ranges and Hepburn Shire Councils, Council sponsored a motion to impel the MAV to protect staff and councillors by undertaking research into industry trends and instances of violence, campaigning against abuse of elected officials, and offering legal and financial support to those impacted by harmful behaviour. The motion was supported by the strong majority of councils represented, underlining the criticality of this issue for the industry.
Cr Humphries spoke in support of the motion at the conference, and was pleased to see it supported. "Abuse and harassment of elected officials and staff is not OK, and I am proud to be part of a Council which is at the forefront of advocacy to support our elected officials," he said.
"Disagreeing with a government decision is a perfectly reasonable and a healthy part of democracy. This initiative looks at taking real action against the dangerous and growing trend of harassment extending beyond political discourse."
"I thank Yarra Ranges and Hepburn Shire for their partnership on putting this on the agenda. I look forward to seeing the MAV urgently put this work into motion."
The MAV is Victoria's legislated Local Government peak body and Stonnington's membership and involvement in State Council meetings forms a critical component of advocating for policy change.
The full motion supported at the conference follows:
That the MAV:
1. Undertake statewide research into occupational violence incidents against Council staff and Councillors and seek WorkSafe support for measures to enhance safety, including a public safety campaign.
2. Initiates a comprehensive, statewide campaign aimed at countering negative community behaviours and addressing social media attacks directed at Councillors and officers. It should also promote positive messages about the vital role of Local Government and the wide array of services it provides.
3. Immediately establishes a committee to oversee the investigation of harmful behaviour directed at councillors, including behaviour such as harassment, intimidation, general abuse, including via social media, which may have been detrimental to the safety and health of councillors. This committee will investigate and report to MAV on the following items:
- provide an overview of how many Victorian councillors have been impacted and how they have dealt with such behaviour
- issue a survey to MAV members to understand the breadth of the serious issue
- determine which federal or state legislation is most appropriate to change/introduce to better support councillors, and develop a lobbying strategy;
- determine whether MAV and/or council insurance policies could be amended to assist councillors seeking legal assistance if subjected to worrying behaviour;
- the implementation of a fund to provide attacked councillors with additional support resources; and
- investigate and recommend ways in which councillors could be offered financial support, for example, if they wish to seek a Personal Safety Intervention Order.
