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Happenings in the Clarence City Council Chambers

Tag: Religion

2022-11-28: Amen and Amen (and AGM)

Most people come to a council meeting looking for something to happen. They might be advocating for or against a planning item, or have a question to ask, or just want to be there when a big thing happens. Whatever the case, if you watch enough, you will come to the conclusion that, for factors no one involved seems to be in control of, most people don’t and indeed cannot get what they want.

Tonight, in what turned out to be a bumper meeting, I present a slice of this philosophy, as an uncaring planning system sends much of a packed gallery home unhappy.

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Religion in Clarence (and Other Stray Observations from the 2021 Census)

In March of this year, a motion was put on notice by Councillor Warren that in its original form would have, among other things, removed the Council Prayer from the agenda. The motion that eventually passed only moved the Acknowledgement of Country to come first, a compromise designed to placate what was a very divided council. I’d made a deputation at the meeting that night going over the reasons I supported the original motion, and attached a couple of charts for councillors’ perusal.

Fast-forward to the 24 of November and an agenda document hits my virtual desk, heralding the arrival of another motion, this time by Councillor Chong: “That Council remove the opening prayer from the beginning of Council meetings and, over the next few months, consider whether a more inclusive affirmation or reflective silence is appropriate.” In preparation and support for a further deputation on the topic, I present this updated set of charts and data for anyone interested.

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