CITIES APPEAL:

Port Phillip, VIC

The ICAN Cities Appeal was endorsed by the City of Port Phillip on 16 October, 2019.

 

MOTION

 

Moved by Cr Katherine Copsey and agreed to with 6 in favour, 1 abstention and 1 opposed.

That Council:

  1. Notes that our City 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. Supports the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and calls on our Federal Government to join it.
  3. Requests that the Mayor send an email to info@icanw.org indicating that the City of Port Phillip endorses the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Cities Appeal.
  4. Writes to inform the Foreign Minister and local federal representatives that the City of Port Phillip has endorsed the ICAN Cities Appeal.
  5. Issues a press release announcing that the City of Port Phillip has joined the call for the national government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
  6. Take steps to ensure that funds administered by the City of Port Phillip are not invested in companies that produce nuclear weapons, with reference to the information available at www.dontbankonthebomb.com

 

Image L-R: Cr Brand, Cr Baxter, Margie Beavis, Fred Mendelsohn, Cr Simic and Cr Copsey.

 

FURTHER ACTION:

2020: Divestment

In 2020, Port Phillip Council conducted a review of council investment portfolio and adopted a nuclear-weapons-free investment policy in 2020.

The policy  specifically addresses Councils support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (16 October 2019 Council Meeting).

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Council is committed to maximising social and environmental outcomes through the selection of financial institutions and investment products.  This commitment supports Council’s Declaration of a Climate Emergency (18 September 2019), the support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (16 October 2019) and Organisational Strategy (2017-21) 

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Council does not invest directly in companies that produce nuclear weapons.  Wherever practical, Council preferences financial institutions and investment products that do not directly or indirectly fund any activities in the Arms industry.

2021: Councillor Roundtable

Councillor Kat Copsey attended a special Councillors Roundtable hosted by ICAN Australia to celebreate the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weaposns in March 2021.

Screenshots of councillors attending an online Councillor Roundtable in March 2021.

2025: Port Phillip commemorates the 80th anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

On Hiroshima Day, Lord Mayor Louise Crawford addressed the August 6th Council meeting to acknowledge the 80th anniversary since the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

STATEMENT ON 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI

On the 80th anniversary since the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the City of Port Phillip solemnly reflects on one of the darkest chapters in human history. We honour the memory of the tens of thousands of lives lost and the enduring resilience of the survivors who continue to advocate for peace. 

This milestone serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for global unity and disarmament. As a modern and multicultural city, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm Council’s dedication to fostering a peaceful world for future generations, free of nuclear weapons. 

BACK TO THE CITIES APPEAL