The City of Armadale has adopted a new five-year strategy to support the local community, with LGBTQIA+ people specifically recognised in the document for the first time.
The strategy was passed despite a letter-writing campaign urging councillors to reconsider the explicit recognition of LGBTQIA+ residents, and several councillors expressing concerns about the new section.
Councillor Paul Hetherington voiced his support for the strategy and said some people in the community may have been surprised to see him second the motion, given his strong commitment to his faith.
“I rise in support of the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people within the City of Armadale’s Community Development Strategy. I want to begin by making something very clear. When I was elected to represent the City of Armadale, and I say this often, I was elected to represent all of the people of the city, not some of them.”
“This strategy is built around some very important principles: empowerment, inclusion, social justice and community-led action. It’s about understanding the aspirations and needs of our residents, looking at evidence, listening to our community and responding appropriately. The inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people is consistent with that approach.”
Deputy Mayor John Keogh said he had concerns about some sections of the strategy and asked his colleagues to consider holding a workshop to gain a greater understanding of the different elements before revisiting the proposal in a few months.
Councillor Kerry Busby also voiced opposition to the proposal proceeding. He described himself as a “person of faith” who believed everyone deserved “respect and dignity”. Councillor Busby said he had concerns that he had not had sufficient opportunity to fully interrogate the proposal, and added that Councillor Scott Mosey, who was absent from the meeting, would also have supported an additional workshop.
“I have lots of questions.” Councillor Busby told the chamber, outlining that he had concerns about the statistics included in the proposal and the suggestion that LGBTQIA+ people may not feel welcome in the City of Armadale.
“I’ve never been made aware in my fifteen years on council in the City of Armadale that anyone in that group has not been respected, treated right, included, or excluded from our events, facilities or sporting clubs. I’ve never been made aware it’s an issue.”
“I was actually surprised it became such a large part of our new strategy.”
He said he would have preferred the strategy to return for further discussion, allowing councillors to ask additional questions before making a final decision. Councilor Busby said he’d prefer not to to ask staff about the elements of the strategy at the public council meeting as it may lead him to saying something he may “later regret”.
“I’ve got questions about using correct language and pronouns in communications. How does that affect our staff? How does that affect council? How does that affect the community?”
Councillor Busby urged colleagues to vote against the strategy to allow for further analysis.
Councillor Caroline Wielinga said the proposal to send the strategy back to a workshop set a concerning precedent.
“This is the third iteration of the strategy, and it has been passed unanimously every time. The idea that we should go to a workshop to review this seems a little odd because we already had a presentation and time to discuss it with officers before it was presented at committee.”
Dr Wielinga noted that the only major difference in the latest version was the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people.
Councillor Sarah Stoneham said the strategy had already undergone a robust development process.
“Since February, this strategy has been through community consultation, stakeholder engagement, officer review, a councillor briefing and, following that briefing on 7 July, a further redraft incorporating councillor feedback.”
She said councillors who believed further amendments were necessary should debate them openly and transparently.
“At some point, as a council, we have the responsibility to make a decision. Our officers have done exactly what we asked them to do. They consulted the community, listened to feedback, revised the document and brought it back to council.”
Councillor Stoneham described the strategy as ready for consideration.
The strategy was passed, with eight councillors voting in favour and five opposed.
Councillors Sarah Stoneham, Paul Hetherington, Michelle Silver, Caroline Wielinga, Shanavas Peter, Laurie Sargeson, Kris Jorgensen and Mayor Ruth Butterfield voted in support of the strategy. Councillors Daniel Newman, Armit Singh, Gary Smith, Kerry Busby and Deputy Mayor John Keogh voted against it.
Councillors Scott Mosey and Tony Thomas were absent from the meeting.
The contentious section of the strategy includes recommendations outlined in the strategy include reviewing data from the 2026 Australian Census once it is released; ensuring inclusive language is used in official communications and that people’s pronouns are respected; promoting public events as inclusive and welcoming to LGBTIQA+ residents; including LGBTIQA+ support services at those events; and consulting with LGBTIQA+ community members and stakeholders to maintain knowledge and inclusive practices.
