Jennifer Pittorino
Members of the Palestine community in Hobsons Bay have issued a complaint to Hobsons Bay council over a petition submitted to council in February and a potential conflict of interest by councillor Antoinette Briffa.
As reported by Star Weekly, community group Hobsons Bay for Palestine (HBFP) submitted a petition “calling for the council to show support for Palestine” for review at its February 13 meeting.
During the item, Cr Briffa raised a notice of motion titled ‘support for Hobsons Bay residents impacted by overseas conflict’, which HBFP believes goes against council’s governance rules.
Spokesperson Sarah Baarini said since the meeting, the group has focussed on the issue that the petition was not handled properly.
“The motion shouldn’t have been considered given the process wasn’t followed,” she said.
“We urge council to acknowledge the error in process and rectify this as a matter of priority.
“We hope and expect that the council will attempt to remedy this by revoking the motion and putting forward a new motion which adequality responds to the petition and complies with governance rules following adequate consultation and feedback.”
In a letter to mayor Matt Tyler and chief executive Aaron van Egmond, the HBFP states Cr Briffa is employed at Leonardo, an Italian aerospace, defence and security company which the group claims supplied weapons to Israel. Cr Briffa is the company’s head of quality and safety in Australia.
Cr Briffa said she is a human rights activist and believes Israel’s sustained military response is “disproportionate and excessive.”
“I personally support the position of the United Nations and the Australian Government in relation to Palestine and Israel including a ceasefire and return of the hostages taken by Hamas.
“I do not believe a motion as presented by that group would have been passed by the council.
“I therefore workshopped a motion that I hoped had a better chance of being passed by the council, and it was.
“No councillor moved the motion drafted by the Hobsons Bay for Palestine Group.
“On reflection it would have been easier for me if I didn’t try to assist in this matter because they wouldn’t have been happy with anything less than their prescribed motion.”
A Hobsons Bay council spokesperson said, “Cr Briffa’s notice of motion was related but independent of the petition, and was presented in good faith and made with regard for the concern and wellbeing of all residents.
“Local government has no role to play in international politics, as advised by the minister for local government.
“Council is unaware of any conflict of interest in respect of employment, which is a private matter.
“The determination of a conflict of interest is a matter for the individual councillor and council is unaware of any intention to rescind the motion.”
