The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the Ipswich City Council, Queensland, on 26th October 2023.

MOTION

Councillor Kate Kunzelmann moved that Council resolves to:

a) Note the significant threat that nuclear weapons pose to communities throughout the world, and the right of our residents to live in a world free of nuclear weapons threat.

b) Write to Ipswich Federal representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP and the Hon. Shayne Neumann MP, calling on the Australian Government to sign and ratify the United Nation’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons without delay.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

This notice of motion, submitted by Cr Kate Kunzelmann, is the outcome of a Briefing Session provided to Council on 12 September 2023 by Dr Marianne Hanson, Co-chair of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

The Notice of Motion supports ICAN’s objective of prohibiting and eliminating nuclear weapons and calls on Ipswich City Council to advocate to the Australian Government to sign and ratify the United Nation’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

This Notice of Motion aligns with a historic commitment of Ipswich City Council as the first Queensland city to declare itself a first nuclear free zone, made on 16 December 1982.

Quotes attributable to Councillor Kate Kunzelman:

On 12 th September this year, councillors were briefed by Dr Marianne Hanson, co-chair of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).

The Notice of Motion supports ICAN’s objective of prohibiting and eliminating nuclear weapons and calls on Ipswich City Council to advocate to the Australian Government to sign and ratify the United Nation’s Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Nuclear weapons are the most destructive, inhumane and indiscriminate weapons ever created. Both in the scale of the devastation they cause, and in their unique persistence, spreading genetically damaging radioactive fallout. They are unlike any other weapon.

It is the indiscriminate nature of the damage that makes nuclear weapons so much worse than conventional. There can be no pretence of merely targeting combatants as in conventional weapons but causing death and destruction in the civilian population.

There is the immediate death of many, and the collapse of infrastructure. Then there is the firestorm. Following this is the spread of ionizing radiation, and the very long term effects produced, poisoning the environment, producing long-term health consequences, including cancer and genetic damage. Their widespread use just in atmospheric testing has caused grave long-term consequences.

The use of nuclear weapons by one country and the response of another country will produce a terrifying scenario of mutually assured destruction and a disaster way beyond their boundaries.

Our action here today may seem a small gesture in a complex international negotiation. Some would argue that this is not the business
of a local government. I would argue that this is an opportunity to add our voice to persuading the federal government to move more quickly towards influencing the elimination of nuclear weapons, particularly in light of increasing geopolitical instability.

The residents of Ipswich deserve more certainty of a nuclear weapons free future, and I urge councillors to vote for this motion.

 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.

 The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by Lane Cove Council, New South Wales, on 8th December 2022.

MOTION

That Council:

a. Endorses the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons Cities Appeal, and the following statement:

Lane Cove Council 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.

b. Write to the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Attorney General requesting that Australia signs and ratifies the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the United Nations in 2017, without delay.

c. Confirms that as of the 11th November 2022 Council did not hold any investments in companies or securities issuers that were exposed to the creation of nuclear weapons.

d. Council resolves to provide instructions to its investment advisers to not recommended in the future any investments in companies, securities issuers or the like that have an exposure to the creation of nuclear weapons.

CARRIED

 The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the Kiama Municipal Council, New South Wales, on 16th August 2022.

MOTION

Council endorses the following statement, moved by Councillors Larkins and Draisma:

1. Kiama is 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. Therefore, we warmly welcome the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the United Nations in 2017, and we call on our national government to sign and ratify it without delay.
2. That the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer jointly write to International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) advising that Kiama Municipal Council has agreed to endorse the ICAN Cities Appeal.

CARRIED

FURTHER ACTION

 The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the City of Port Augusta, South Australia, on 9th August 2022, the 77th Anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

MOTION

Councillors Marsh and Shine moved that Council:

1. Endorses the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons ‘Cities Appeal’.

2. Expresses deep concern 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. Therefore, we warmly welcome the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons by the United Nations in 2017, and we call on our national government to sign and ratify it without delay.

3. Writes to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Minister for Defence Industry and State Minister for Defence and Space Industries, and local Members of Parliament for the Divisions of Stuart, Giles and Grey, expressing Councils support for the ICAN Cities Appeal.

CARRIED

The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by Brisbane City Council, Queensland, on 31st May 2022.

STATEMENT

Made by Councillor Tracy Davis, Civic Cabinet Chair of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee following a presentation from Dr Marianne Hanson (ICAN Board Member and member of the Womens International League for Peace and Freedom, Australia).

I’m very pleased today to advise that Brisbane City Council will join the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and endorse the Cities Appeal that you have presented to us. Between Council’s internal policy and your Cities Appeal, we trust that these acts of symbolism will help other local governments across the country to support in your campaign.

Members of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) QLD who celebrate with Brisbane Councillollors after presenting a deputation to Brisbane City Council to share the message about the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

FURTHER ACTION