Jennifer Pittorino
Maribyrnong council has approved a draft of its Social Justice Framework, which will now go to the community for public consultation.
At a meeting on Tuesday, November 21, council approved the framework for community consultation.
According to council, the draft Social Justice Framework 2023-2033 focuses on council’s role in advancing social justice and upholding human rights.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said this is an important document for a community like Maribyrnong.
“Ours is built on issues of social justice, working class communities, migrant communities, refugee and asylum seeker communities who all feel comfortable living in Maribyrnong,” she said.
“I would really encourage people to have a look at the document and give us your feedback, because social justice crosses almost everything that we do every day.
“It has major implications for where we live, how we live, how we relate to each other, how we connect to the natural environment and how we recognise the impact of colonisation of First Nations peoples.”
Councillor Michael Clarke said the framework has three goals, equity, inclusion and resilience.
“This is a great thing for our council, and a greater thing for our community,” he said.
“It aligns with our evolving health dynamics, our policy shifts and our commitment to human rights.
“It does this by upholding human rights and responding to council plans and objectives by providing a roadmap for equity and inclusion.“
Cr Clarke said the framework demonstrates councils care, compassion and concern for the Maribyrnong community.
“It comes from the grassroots, from the people, it comes from local government, what a wonderful thing.”
Mayor Cuc Lam finished the discussion by saying this is top priority for people who come from different backgrounds and groups.
“These being, Aboriginal, LGBTQ, people with disability, children, older people, women, migrants, refugee people, and those experiencing poverty and homelessness,” she said.
“There are many people in this disadvantaged group, so we rely heavily on community consultation. We are here and listening to them.”
Following the public consultation process, council officers will incorporate feedback and seek endorsement of the final framework in March 2024.
