SURF COAST RAINBOW FLAG ‘WITCH HUNT’
Interrogation ‘witch hunt’ claims as mayor hits out over rainbow stance
SURF Coast Shire Mayor Brian McKiterick has taken on Torquay’s community house over its advocacy of the rainbow flag, as the fallout over the banner kicks up a gear.
Cr McKiterick has requested an apology from Spring Creek Community House over its conduct in the flag debate, which has been simmering since a vote by councillors to display the gay pride symbol outside its Torquay headquarters.
Surf Coast Shire has cracked down on employees debating the subject on social media, with the union representing municipal workers intervening at the weekend.
Cr McKiterick wrote to Spring Creek board member Stephen Leadbeater to express disappointment in the group and called for an apology.
“I believe that while the organisation does seek to support our community on a number of social issues, it should not seek to activate the community or pressure councillors on issues that are before the council,” he wrote.
“I also believe it should avoid being perceived as ‘tak- ing sides’ on an issue over which there are a range of views in the community.
“I believe the actions of Spring Creek Community House and its staff have contributed to an already difficult situation. It would be appropriate to receive an apology from the board and the relevant staff involved in the social media posting.”
Cr McKiterick and Mr Leadbeater were contacted by the Geelong Advertiser yesterday but did not respond in time for deadline.
Cr David Bell took to social media to express his opposition to the mayor’s letter.
“The mayor, Cr McKiterick, has acted unilaterally and without the knowledge of councillors in his letter to Spring Creek Community House,” Cr Bell wrote. “I strongly support the work of the Community House.”
Meanwhile, the Australian Services Union claimed more than 10 staff members had been called to “interrogations” by Surf Coast Shire management over declarations of support for the Surfcoast for Equality Facebook page.
The ASU claimed staff members were “given no warning of any allegation and presented with copies of their Facebook ‘likes’ and comments”.
“The approach senior management has taken has all the appearances of a witch-hunt carried out at the intervention of some councillors,” an ASU spokesman said.
Surf Coast councillors voted last month for a designated flagpole for the rainbow flag after concerns over a clash with the Australian flag and related protocol.
Two meetings directed the flag to be raised on an existing flagpole next to the national ensign and then subsequently removed from daily flying. The change was due to different councillors not being present at meetings and the flow-on effect of mayoral veto power.