INSPIRING PANEL RAISES AWARENESS OF DISCRIMINATION AT IDAHOBIT EVENT

Council hosted the event on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia – or IDAHOBIT, as it’s come to be known around the world. The day aims to raise awareness about the discrimination that LGBTQIA+ people still face and examines what the wider community can do to demonstrate their support.

Members of the event’s Rainbow Action Panel were selected because of their advocacy for the LGBTQIA+ community and included two young people from local schools and a

Manningham Council staff member. The panel members shared their personal experiences of discrimination and their ongoing impact with panel moderator, Councillor Tomas Lightbody.

In a welcome speech, Manningham Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Diamante reflected “I long for the day when we don’t need events like these” and said that “IDAHOBIT is a chance for us to come together to address the stigma that the LGBTQIA+ community still faces, simply because of who they are or who they love. At Manningham Council, we’re committed to taking a stand against discrimination so that our LGBTQIA+ community can feel respected, included, valued and safe.”

Speaking on the panel, Manningham Council’s Chief Legal and Governance Officer, Andrew McMaster acknowledged the progress that’s been made for the LGBTQIA+ community in recent years, including marriage equality, but reflected after hearing the two young people on the panel speak of their experiences, “not enough has changed to keep our LGBTQIA+ youth safe and free from discrimination since I was a teenager.”

The panel also discussed ways to help support the LGBTQIA+ community to feel safe, engaged and empowered. Panel members urged attendees to stand up to abuse and harassment when they see it, to educate themselves about issues facing LGBTQIA+ people, and to act as allies and friends to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Manningham Council also raised the Progress Pride rainbow flag for the day to mark IDAHOBIT and show support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

It’s that exciting time of year when the community has an opportunity to review Council’s Draft Budget and 10 Year Financial Plan.

Council endorsed the draft documents at its meeting last night (30 May).

“We surveyed the community about the forthcoming budget over the summer months and used this information to assist in formulating the Draft Budget and 10-year Financial Plan,” Manningham Mayor, Cr Deirdre Diamante said.

“These important documents outline how we will spend your rates on community services and infrastructure, so be sure to check them out.

“We’re delivering for our community with an operating budget of $146 million to provide more than 100 valuable services for Manningham,” the Mayor added.

We’re also delivering on our Council Plan, including:

• $38 million for a healthy community

• $24 million for liveable places and spaces

• $22 million for a resilient environment

• $5 million for a vibrant prosperous economy

• $31 million for a well governed Council

“We are conscious of cost-of-living pressures in our community and propose over $1 million of relief measures by capping the increase to the waste service charge, increasing our lowincome rate rebate and introducing subsidies for school holiday programs,” Cr Diamante said.

Although inflation (CPI) is forecast to be at least 4 per cent in 2023-24, Council’s average general rate increase will be in line with the State Government’s rate cap of 3.5 per cent.