AFTER months of delays Kingston councillors have finally approved a motion to “reject in the strongest possible terms all forms of extremism”, and consider programs benefiting local refugees and migrants.
The proposal was first raised by Cr Hadi Saab in October last year. The rationale for last year’s motion read that it was raised after “extremist groups staged coordinated displays of hate and division across several Australian cities which also included the use of Nazi symbolism and rhetoric under the misleading banner of a March for Australia.”
The matter was ultimately deferred, and put back on the agenda at council’s April meeting. Councillors agreed to “reaffirm [council’s] commitment to fostering a safe, respectful, and welcoming municipality for all, where diversity is celebrated” and “reject in the strongest possible terms, all forms of extremism, including ideologies of hate such as neo-Nazism, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”
The approved motion read that council will “reaffirm its support for our diverse community and continue to work with Victoria Police, other levels of government neighbouring councils, community leaders and our migrant communities to ensure our municipality remains open, inclusive and welcoming for everyone” and “continue to recognise and celebrate the contributions of our proud migrant communities in Kingston and across Australia who have forged our great nation’s rich social, cultural and economic fabric”.
Kingston Council will also look into programs including the Refugee Council of Australia’s Refugee Welcome Zone, and receive a report “regarding initiatives that engage with multicultural and interfaith community groups that promote harmony and safety as well as on how to further enhance intercultural and interfaith thinking and promote understanding through our service offerings”.
Two other proposals contained in the motion failed to gain support from a majority of councillors, and were not approved. They were to “reaffirm our unwavering support to our First Nations communities and our ongoing commitment to reconciliation through truth-telling, treaty, respect and justice and condemn any attack or action that seeks to harm First Nations people including the alleged attack on Camp Sovereignty”, and to partner with the Refugee Council of Australia to host a celebration of the one millionth permanent refugee visa issued milestone.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 6 May 2026