It was a a privilege to speak at the community breakfast earlier this month for the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). My speech on the importance of working collectively to combat discrimination was published online at the Gay News Network. You can access it here.
I’m proud to support the YWCA’s ‘Rise Above the Pack’ campaign promoting respect for women among men in Adelaide. All too often women are encouraged to change their behaviour to remain safe but it is men who need to change. Check out the Rise Above The Pack website and this article in The Advertiser for more information on this important campaign.
The State Government has approved Council’s request to extend the dry zone trial in the parklands. I opposed the request for an extension on the basis that this law and order approach is not addressing the root causes of anti-social behaviour and is simply displacing vulnerable people. My concerns were reported in The Advertiser.
Last night Council’s Infrastructure and Public Space Committee voted in favour of a recommendation to extend the Dry Zone for a further 6 months. The matter will go before Council next week. I opposed the recommendation as the preliminary report (page 30 of Agenda) stated that the Dry Zone is simply displacing anti-social behaviour to other parts of the city and not addressing the root cause. In particular, I am concerned that this law and order approach may be further marginalising vulnerable people. Some of my comments were reported in The Advertiser.
After we received advice of significant unmet need, at Committee I argued that Council should work to ensure adequate provision of accessible parking for the city’s big events. My comments were reported in The Advertiser.
Adelaide City Council will investigate the potential for a permanent rainbow pedestrian crossing to celebrate LGBTI culture, following the passage of my motion last night.
At Tuesday’s meeting I’ll be moving a motion to amend Council’s Community Grants program to prioritise applications that provide services to vulnerable people in extreme weather. You can read more about my proposal in InDaily.
I was proud to walk with Lord Mayor-elect Martin Haese and Councillor-elect Houssam Abiad in this year’s Pride March. Happy Feast Festival everybody!
Homelessness represents an ongoing challenge for our city and there is a shortage of long term affordable housing options and accommodation for people in need. With prefabricated (or modular) housing we could build more affordable housing for half the cost and in much less time than traditional housing construction.
If elected I will lobby Council to set targets for prefabricated housing to encourage this kind of development.
