Councillors vote for same-sex register

Hedland councillors have voted 4-2 to approve in-principle the recognition of same-sex unions after a passionate debate last week.

Councillors Gloria Jacob, who brought the item to council, George Daccache, David Hooper and Julie Hunt all voted to pass the measure, while councillors Jan Gillingham and Lorraine Butson voted against it.

Under the policy, Hedland could be the first regional council in WA to set up a relationship declaration register that would recognise same-sex unions.

It would only come into effect once a public advertising period finishes on August 12 and a final council vote takes place.

Ms Jacob told councillors and the public gallery, the item promoted basic human rights.

She said it was not an attack on the institution or sacredness of marriage and questioned why gay people could assume every conceivable role in society, whether it be training children, running a business or acting as volunteers.

“(Yet) you don’t allow us to express love for the person we choose, ” she said.

Mr Daccache said as a Christian he backed the motion because God created everyone equally and could not believe that in modern-day Hedland, people were still prevented from being themselves.

As the mother of two gay children, Ms Hunt passionately supported the motion and said it was a wonderful opportunity for Hedland to show leadership.

Mr Hooper, who is also a Christian minister, voted for the item so that it could be fully investigated, but said he did not support same-sex marriage.

Speaking of his close friendship with Ms Jacob, he said he hoped everyone would keep debating the issue while respecting each other’s views.

Ms Gillingham opposed the motion because she said it was still being discussed at a national level.

She said she didn’t believe Hedland’s local government should jump the gun on the national debate.

With the relationship register not having the full legal status as a same-sex marriage, Ms Butson also said it was a debate for the Federal Government to take up.

She said the Town of Port Hedland had more pressing financial concerns.

Earlier, Hedland resident Louise Newby-Starling and four members of the Baptist Church also either opposed the register or urged caution in its adoption.

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