Adelaide Hills Council is set to bring a significant anti-domestic violence motion for debate during the National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA), which began in Canberra today at the National Convention Centre.
Councillor Louise Pascale (pictured) and Council CEO, Greg Georgopoulos, will represent Council at the premier national gathering of local governments. Convened by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), the conference is the peak annual event for Local Government.
At the conference, Councillor Pascale will move a motion urging the NGA to call on the Australian Government to recognise that Local Government plays a pivotal role in achieving the Australian Government’s vision of ending gender-based violence.
“It’s important that all people in our community feel safe and are free from violence. We know it takes a whole of community approach and by raising awareness and providing support information we can be part of ending violence against women and their children,” said Mayor, Jan-Claire Wisdom.
Advocating on behalf of our community to prevent violence against women and children is a key part of the Council’s commitment to implementing Our Watch’s Prevention Toolkit for Local Government, said CEO, Greg Georgopoulos
Mr Georgopoulos said Council made a Statement of Commitment to prevent violence against women and children, which was adopted in July 2023.
The motion seeks co-funding from state governments to support councils in embedding gender equality and violence prevention practices into their workplaces and services.
“The Adelaide Hills Council seek strong support for its motion from councils across Australia, emphasising the urgent need for dedicated Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Officers in each state’s local government association. The motion also calls for the establishment of a grant funding program to support councils in assuming a primary prevention role within their communities,” Council said in a statement.
If Adelaide Hills Council’s motion is passed by a majority of voting delegates at the NGA, it will become a Resolution and be forwarded to the ALGA for consideration and action.
See full motion here (pages 140-142).
