Wollongong City Council voted to review where it spends its money in light of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Photo: Google Maps.
Wollongong City Council will review all of its suppliers, contractors and investments to identify whether any contribute to global conflicts, after its latest meeting.
Outgoing Councillor Cath Blakey put the ambitious motion to this month’s council meeting.
“We have an obligation to suspend trade and investments that support Israeli illegal settlements,” she said.
“This is an opportunity to reflect the community’s concerns about what is happening in Gaza, and ensure ratepayers’ money is being spent responsibly.
“This council has a track record of standing up for peace, and this is something we can do to improve the transparency of our financial dealings.”
Cr Blakey said other local governments, such as Canterbury-Bankstown Council, had conducted similar reviews.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said the council was a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the motion should be put in that context, rather than be limited to the conflict in Gaza.
Goal 16 is to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Cr Bradbery said the review would help the council to align with those goals.
“We are in a world of conflict at the moment,” he said.
“We will do our bit to show our community desires peace, justice and human dignity.
“While the situation in the Middle East causes me significant heartache, I suggest we make this review broader to keep in line with the development goals and uphold the values of the council and our community.”
Cr Cameron Walters said he was confused by the motion and did not see an ethical issue with purchasing goods from companies that also supplied products to states that committed atrocities.
“I’m confident we have gotten rid of any bad investments,” he said.
“Cr Blakey is saying we should ban organisations who supply consumable items?
“It’s a very low bar if we ban things because other people have purchased them.
“I think it’s bizarre to dig down to that level, I think it’s silly.”
Cr Mithra Cox defended the motion. She said ensuring the council purchased from ethical suppliers was a way for the organisation to support peace.
“Making sure our suppliers don’t profit from war is something we can do easily and can create real change,” she said.
The motion was passed unanimously.
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