The Inner West Council has voted down a motion to review the council’s investments, procurement relationships, and suppliers in alignment with BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) principles.
The motion was moved by Djarrawunang/Ashfield councillor Dylan Griffiths and focused on the “Council’s Investments And Procurement Relationships In Relation To The Boycott, Divestment And Sanctions Campaign.” This motion was framed in the context of “the invasion of Gaza, illegal occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, and human rights abuses committed by Israel.”
Due to the “significant concern in the Inner West community” and calls for the ethical use of council rates and its investment portfolio, the motion put forth that the council “prepare a report recommending amendments to our Investment Policy and Procurement Policy”, and explicitly “change policy to exclude companies and organisations involved in human rights abuses and weapons manufacturing.”
It also called for advice from the Australian Palestinian Advocacy Network (APAN) on the implementation of BDS at a local level.
All Labor councillors in attendance voted down the motion. This included:
- Mayor Darcy Byrne (Labor)
- Deputy Mayor Chloe Smith (Labor)
- Jessica D’Arienzo (Labor)
- Mark Drury (Labor)
- Philippa Scott (Labor)
- Tim Stephens (Labor)
- Mat Howard (Labor)
- Zoi Tsardoulias (Labor)
Notably, Stephens is a University of Sydney Public International Law unit coordinator, a unit which discusses International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court rulings, such as decisions made regarding Israel’s genocidal actions.
As a result of the long speaker list for the motion, at around 9 pm Mayor Byrne reaffirmed the need for efficiency and the need to conclude proceedings at 11 pm, stating that “we’re not on track to vote on anything.” Mayor Byrne also referred to the meeting as “the longest public gallery in the history of the Inner West Council”.
A second motion, also put forth by Councillor Griffiths, concerning the reaffirmation of the Inner West Council’s (previously Marrickville Council) sister city relationship with Bethlehem was not voted on due to time constraints.
When Griffiths asked about the decision regarding speakers for two other motions, Mayor Byrne stated, “Councillor Griffiths, I think the record is clear, and it would be frankly disrespectful for you to now insist on other people being cut off after all the speakers for your event…” Griffiths then responded that he was simply seeking clarification.
Independent Councillor Paula Lockie seconded Griffiths’ motion while Mayor Byrne, foreshadowed the motion to speak against it.
Mayor Byrne spoke to the HP contract, which was unanimously endorsed in 2022, including “by the councillors moving the motion tonight” and stated that the cancellation of the contract on racial, national or ethnic reasons could result in “legal problems for the council…[where] ratepayers would foot the bill.”
He emphasised a focus on “local responsibilities not foreign affairs” as well as “strong financial management.”
Councillor Griffiths’ right of reply explained that Byrne’s foreshadowed motion, “doesn’t change procurement and investment policy”, and that he was “disappointed to not see that [change]…that was a pretty low bar.”
Upon the motion’s failure, members of the public gallery began voicing their discontent saying,
“Shame on Labor, you’ve made your decision tonight. We’ll see you at the election, you’ll never make it back in!” and “Darcy Byrne, you can’t hide, your supporting genocide”.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:58pm. Though the meeting was set to reopen, Mayor Byrne declared the environment as “unsafe” and due to “safety concerns from councillors and staff”, the meeting was declared abandoned.
Had the meeting not been adjourned, Mayor Byrne stated that the foreshadowing of the primary motion would have been debated.
Councillor Griffiths, alongside Wiradjuri and Ngiyampaa Wailwan activist Ethan Floyd, Palestinian activists Ahmed Abadla and Aboud Shaweesh, a member of Tzedek collective and John Gauci from Teachers and School Staff for Palestine, also spoke at a rally in support of the motions outside Ashfield Service Centre which preceded the meeting.
Inner West for Palestine member and rally chair Caitlin Boyce outlined the rally’s demands for Inner West Council as:
- Disclose partnerships with companies complicit in Israel
- Cut ties with these partnered companies
Boyce also called for the council to “properly endorse an immediate and permanent ceasefire” and “fly the Palestinian flag until that happens”.
Following the motion’s failure, Inner West for Palestine released a media statement, stating “this shows that our council and our representatives in it are severely out of step with the community it is supposed to represent as well as International human rights laws.”
The campaign group also shared: “Inner West for Palestine vows to organise constituents in the upcoming local government election and hold our councillors accountable.”
Local councils who previously passed similar motions include Merri-bek Council (November 8 2023), City of Sydney (June 24, 2024) and City of Canterbury-Bankstown (July 23, 2024).
