Mount Alexander Shire councillors were divided over a motion to display a rainbow flag at a council building during the same-sex marriage survey period, in support of the LGBTIQ community.
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The vote was 4:3 against the motion and instead an alternate motion to convene a round table with health partners and local representatives or organisations from the LGBTIQ community by December was passed.
“The decision on the notice of motion last night was not a yes or no vote towards same sex marriage,” said mayor Sharon Telford.
“Rather, based on recent discussions with members of our community, four councillors could not agree it is the responsibility of local government to develop a position on same sex marriage.
“The roundtable will be a great opportunity to inform council of LGBTIQ needs. These needs were not expressed in all of the consultation for the council plan.
“All councillors agreed that we need now to understand this community much better and we look forward to working with them through the round table.”
Bendigo councillors were given a rainbow flag by ‘yes’ vote campaigners at a council meeting on Wednesday, but declined to raise an urgent motion to vote on whether to fly it above a council building.
Related: LIVE: Bendigo council meeting
The same-sex marriage postal vote ends on November 7.