Mixed message sparks same-sex marriage confusion Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au WORDING displayed on Frankston Council vehicles has inadvertently drawn council staff into the samesex marriage debate. Council contractors daubed the words “Vote No” on vehicles as part of an ongoing campaign to demand a better deal than a 1.4 per cent pay rise being offered to workers as part of protracted enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) negotiations. Several people complained to council last week about “Vote No” message, mistakenly believing the slogan referred to the same-sex marriage plebiscite that Australians are being asked to vote on in November. Australian Services Union branch executive president Michelle Jackson said union members have been asked to change or remove the slo-
Slogan slammed: People complained to Frankston Council about a ‘Vote No’ message on council vehicles believing it referred to the same-sex marriage plebiscite. Picture: Twitter @NSDedlee
gans after being alerted to the misunderstanding about the meaning of the “Vote No” message seen on council vehicles.
“It’s definitely not in relation to the same-sex marriage plebiscite,” Ms Jackson said. “In fact, the ASU supports equality
for all workers in all aspects of their life so we’re actually supporters of the ‘yes’ campaign.” Frankston Council issued a statement after receiving complaints about the “Vote No” slogans. “Council is aware that some council vehicles have the words ‘Vote No’ branded on them,” the statement said. “This message refers to the current enterprise bargaining agreement negotiations and in no way refers to the vote on marriage equality.
“While council does not support this display of signage on the vehicles, it is permitted under protected industrial action. “We apologise for any confusion this may cause.” A majority of council staff rejected a proposed EBA this month for the second time. The ASU says a 1.4 per cent, less than the rate of inflation, is effectively “a pay cut” for council employees. The union has highlighted council CEO Dennis Hovenden’s near 10 per cent pay rise in 2015 as part of its campaign to have council management reconsider pay and conditions clauses being discussed under the terms of a new EBA. Union members have taken industrial action in recent months – including a refusal to process fines on specific days – as the pay dispute drags on.
Council to get back in MAV fold Active, involved: Elderly participants enjoy a Mentis Assist outing. Picture: Supplied
Powering to help over 50s face future NON-profit group Mentis Assist has its sights on agefriendly Mornington Peninsula as it works to provide support to older people in the community. The 30-year-old group last week received the Age Friendly Local Business Award at the Mornington Peninsula Delys Sargeant Age-Friendly Awards. The awards recognise individuals, clubs, services or businesses that contribute towards a supportive community for older people. They aim to shine a light on older people, promoting respect and an age-friendly community. “Mentis Assist is the only organisation on the peninsula that provides a range of social group services for over 50s to support their mental and overall health,” CEO Terry Palioportas said. Seniors support groups run five days a week, promoting friendships among those experiencing mental illness, disability, loneliness and isolation, and provide a safe place
for older people to discuss issues. “Mentis Assist seeks to empower older people, providing them with the tools and supports to maintain their independence – a core element in wellbeing,” Mr Palioportas said. The service’s access and support programs link older people with mental and physical health services in the area. It works with housing, family, financial, and legal services, community centres, councils, aged care assessment teams, memory and dementia clinics, and social workers. Mr Palioportas said the community had a “responsibility to provide older people with support as they are one of the most valuable yet vulnerable groups”. “During this season of people’s lives, loneliness, disability and mental illness are common,” he said. Details: mentisassist.org.au
A SELF-IMPOSED exile from membership of the organisation that represents councils across the state is set to end for Frankston Council. Councillors at August’s public council meeting unanimously voted to rejoin the Municipal Association of Victoria after a two-year absence during which Frankston stood alone as the sole council from 79 across the state as a non-MAV member. Frankston councillors during the previous council term decided to leave the MAV, which charges about $55,000 in membership fees per council annually, amid concerns about the association’s governance and transparency highlighted in a 2015 audit by the Victorian AuditorGeneral’s Office. “I think we’ve made our point because at the last election they changed the president,” Cr Colin Hampton said at this month’s council meeting. “With that new president, there is a new core of thinking within the MAV.” Whittlesea councillor Mary Lalios was elected president of the MAV in March this year for a two-year term. Cr Hampton said he had briefly
spoken to Ms Lalios about the possibility of the MAV negotiating local government staff enterprise bargaining agreements collectively in future instead of individually with 79 councils “on different terms”. A majority of Frankston Council staff has rejected the terms of a new EBA and a 1.4 per cent pay rise offer, less than the cost of inflation, amid a near 18-month standoff between council management and the Australian Services Union. Neil Walker
Boy ‘plays with matches’ A BOY playing with matches seemingly started a fire which caused extensive damage to a Frankston house, 3.30pm, Saturday 19 August. The five-year-old is thought to have lit blankets in his parents’ bedroom. They tried to put the blaze out without success. Frankston and Langwarrin CFA crews attended and took 30 minutes to bring the Havana Cr fire under control. The child was treated for minor smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire has been put down to misadventure.
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Frankston Times
28 August 2017
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