Council may revoke ‘yes’ support

TWEED Shire Council will decide whether to pull its support for marriage equality at a meeting today.

The motion to fly the rainbow flag and support the ‘yes’ vote was put forward by Mayor Katie Milne during last Thursday’s meeting and received four votes to three.

The three councillors opposed, Warren Polglase, Pryce Allsop and James Owen, have taken their plight further by signing a “rescission motion” to get councillors to rethink the decision.

Councillors supporting the motion were councillors Milne, Reece Byrnes, Chris Cherry and Ron Cooper.

Today councillors will vote again at an extraordinary meeting called by Mayor Milne at Murwillumbah Council Chambers.

Only six of the seven councillors will be present as Cr Allsop has a wedding to attend.

Crs Allsop and Owen spoke separately to the Bulletin yesterday about why it was vital council remained neutral during the marriage equality voting period. “I firmly believe council has no part in making a statement that could affect the public’s decisions,” Cr Allsop said.

“It is up to the public to make that vote.

“This is not a council issue – pure and simple – since when does local government spend ratepayers money on federal issues?” Cr Owen added.