The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by Banyule City Council, Victoria, on 20th March 2023.

MOTION

1. Endorses the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Cities Appeal, which reads: “Our city/town is deeply concerned about the grave threat that nuclear weapons pose to communities throughout the world. We firmly believe that our residents have the right to live in a world free from this threat. Any use of nuclear weapons, whether deliberate or accidental, would have catastrophic, far‐reaching and long‐lasting consequences for people and the environment.” 
2. Writes to Ms Kate Thwaites MP to state Banyule warmly welcomes the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the United Nations in 2017 and calls on the Australian Government to sign and ratify the Treaty without delay.
3. Acknowledges the Multicultural Population Committee and thanks them for providing advice to Council on this matter.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

SUMMARY

1. Council resolved at the 27 February 2023 Ordinary Council meeting, to receive a report regarding the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
2. This report is in response to a recommendation received from Banyule’s Multicultural Population Committee.
3. ICAN, is the non-government entity actively building support and appealing for councils across Australia to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and write to the Australian Government to encourage them to sign and ratify the Treaty.
4. Over 40 councils across Australia, including 13 Victorian councils have taken action.
5. The ICAN advocacy campaign was referred to Banyule’s Multicultural Population Committee in October and December 2022 for consideration.
6. Council’s Multicultural Population Committee recommends Council support the ICAN appeal and write to the Australian Government to encourage them to sign and ratify the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.