Brimbank City Council’s Post

Following is my statement on Disestablishment of Māori Wards before I voted: “I chose to migrate to New Zealand in 2001 over Canada as it promised a better potential for growth which it is still struggling to achieve. Looking back I find a nation with petty vested interests regional (east and west) or ideological (race/genealogy) which has only stunted this beautiful end of the world. National Politics has played its role in glorifying the divide and we are in a coalition government which has a given a wake-up call to society to work together for the betterment of people. In that Context, Maori wards has become a political football which have been brought in and out at will by successive Central Governments. Various Local Governments (including us councillors) have played their part in further extending the game depending on the ideology of various representatives and their leanings. I as your Elected Member would like to urge other members to not extend this debate/issue any further and leave it to the central government which represents the whole country. We in local government should focus on the welfare of ALL of our constituents equally and provide them with an efficient service that they need direly, at an affordable costs. Most of our time at the council has been spent so far on minor issues which should be relegated to the past. I stood for council which stands for equality for all and still believe that should be the case going forward. I believe all races have the capacity and capabilities to prosper to the best of their ability on common ground.

🌟 A New Dawn for the UK! 🌟 Congratulations to Keir Starmer and the Labour Party (UK) on their historic victory in the 2024 #UKGeneralElection! This triumph is not just a political win, but a testament to a vision led by empathy, passion, resilience, and strong willpower to make a real difference. Over the past 5+ years, the Labour Party has undergone significant internal change, showcasing unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of progress. Since the austerity measures of 2008, our infrastructure has suffered greatly, impacting every corner of the country. This victory highlights the crucial importance of our public services and the need to rebuild and strengthen them for the future. John Kotter once said, "The greatest success in leading transformational change comes from developing a clear vision and a sense of purpose that includes everyone." The Labour Party’s journey embodies this philosophy, demonstrating that inclusive leadership and a shared sense of purpose are key to driving impactful change. This is not just a new chapter for Westminster but a new chapter for our country and for all of us. It’s a clear message that we are stronger together, united as titans ready to forge a brighter future. Here’s to new records, new beginnings, and a renewed hope for the UK! 🎉 #LabourVictory2024 #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #PublicServices #StrongerTogether #NewBeginnings #Resilience #VisionAndEmpathy #UnitedTitans #HistoricWin #FutureForward #PurposeAndInclusion

King’s Speech: local government sees ‘encouraging signs’ and calls for collaboration https://lnkd.in/eq34yjGJ How has the local government sector reacted to the new Labour government’s legislative plans, as set out in the King’s Speech to mark the State Opening of Parliament? #localgov #localgovernment #kingsspeech #labour #legislation #collaboration #parliament #devolution #planningreform #housing #socialhousing #affordablehousing

Are citizens’ assemblies the future? Interesting read on the potential for citizen’s assemblies on a national scale and the many benefits they bring in yesterday’s Guardian... I’m most excited by the prospect of more ‘satellite assemblies’ and how the principles of Citizen’s Assemblies can be adopted on a local scale to drive engagement and involvement with influenceable local priorities, like housing, health and the environment. Obvious benefits of citizen’s assemblies include their independence, the investment in a more deliberative and considered process, and their representativeness (with members selected a bit like jury service, ensuring they’re reflective of the local community). But, like any meaningful engagement or consultation programme, it’s critical that the parameters of any programme and the scope for impact and influence are clearly communicated (and then diligently protected). So often, consultations around new initiatives or developments cheerfully urge neighbours and residents to ‘use their voice’. But there’s no value or incentive for any of us to speak up if our voices aren't going to be heard, or if the people or organisations listening don’t have the power or inclination to implement recommendations or to adapt plans and priorities to be reflective of local sentiment and opinion. I’ll be paying close attention to see if the predictions in the piece come to fruition over the coming months, and in the meantime if anyone has direct experience of working with citizen’s assemblies, I’d love to hear more. #CitizensAssemblies #Engagement #Consultation #Involvement #CommsConsultant

In this article, Evelyn Partners' experts explore how the abolition of the UK’s non-dom regime will affect the UK’s attractiveness for individuals and employers: https://bit.ly/49LvXmy

Last week I was asked to address the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, appearing as witnesses to the Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians. Whilst you can listen to the full hearing below, my message was simple. Without financial education and empowerment, we are only ever 1 or 2 decisions away from going backwards. Better employment outcomes, land rights and native tile and business ownership are only a true success when we consolidate that progress with financial education to build our own wealth on our own terms. https://lnkd.in/gCiF72nu

With the results of yesterdays UK general election, we at CIHT are calling on the new government to change the way we look at our highways and transportation network during the first 100 days in office.   Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said:   “CIHT congratulates the Labour Party on forming the new government and looks forward to engaging with them over the next few months. This is undoubtedly a time for change and a new clear and vision-led approach is needed from politicians and local and national governments.”   “Transport is politically challenging, and yet it plays a crucial part in our futures. People and goods need an effective transport network to support economic activity and social wellbeing.”   “Good transport provides access to employment, goods, services and opportunities. How society invests in and uses the transport network also has major impacts on climate change and public health.”   Find out what we are asking the new government here https://lnkd.in/e4KS3zJf

Our submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs’ Inquiry into economic self-determination and opportunities for First Nations Australians has now been published online. This inquiry is looking at how to scale up enablers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ engagement in training, employment and business development, and how to remove barriers to community-led economic growth. In our submission, we wrote about the importance of the economic determinants of health, and about our critical work in growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and research workforces – getting more of our Mob into careers that have longevity, offer progression pathways, and help keep our communities healthy and thriving. And we recommended the Joint Standing Committee should consider: - Policy mechanisms to accelerate the development and growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led businesses - The value of our community-controlled organisations in achieving economic self-determination - Ways to encourage governments to make urgent progress on Closing the Gap Priority Reform Three – ‘transforming mainstream government organisations to improve accountability and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’. Read the submission: https://hubs.li/Q02GHqB10

https://lnkd.in/gg4NDG-g As of late there's been a lot of conversation at the municipal elected official level about difficulties being a Council member. in particular regarding the abuse and in some cases out and out harassment and threats involved. The vast majority of local elected officials are doing the job part-time, and I don't know anyone in municipal politics that's there for the wrong reason, so it's very unfortunate that this treatment occurs, and is seemingly getting worse over time. I think everyone that runs for Council simply wants to bring positive to their community, and they're certainly not there for the money. Most are modestly paid, and there's no tax benefits, pension or job security. I believe that much of the unreasonable treatment and expectations stem from a misunderstanding about what local council members do, how they do it, and what powers they actually have. Up until only recently, local elected officials were all independent and are not party affiliated. No one member of Council makes decisions on their own, and any decision made as a Council, means that each individual must support that decision whether they agree with it or not. I consider myself lucky that I have not experienced blatant abuse or threats, but I've certainly experienced bullying from a small number of my residents. I've been told that they're simply holding me accountable, but there's no other job (except perhaps police) where someone can consider it acceptable to bully you in the name of "accountability". Council members are elected because the majority feels that their experience, their values, and their opinions reflect their own. We know that that doesn't mean that everyone agrees, Council members are elected because the majority agree with them. Despite what some people think, Council's don't have to make decisions based on what the loudest and most opinionated people feel. Just because someone loudly protests a decision Council makes, and they decided differently, doesn't mean they didn't listen or consider that person's concerns, but there were other factors, different information, and their personal experience and opinion lead their decision otherwise. In some cases, some agree with the loudest group who is protesting, but we're out voted. This is how democracy works. I don't think many people are surprised that social media has amplified the toxic behavior of some of these loud, outspoken few who make so much effort to try to embarrass and intimidate their local Council members whom they disagree with. Most people are generally happy with their elected officials, and would never be disrespectful, and I don't expect them to put themselves in between these toxic few, and their Council members, but it goes a long way when people support their Council by continuing to vote, and providing respectful feedback.