On Tuesday 4 August, Councillors unanimously supported my motion on continuing Council's commitment to eliminating domestic and family violence across the Inner West, including its call for for us to develop a gender equity strategy to address one of the key causes of this violence. Melissa Holmes, program coordinator at Stepping Out, spoke to my fellow Clr Colin Hesse on his Radio Skid Row show about why this work is so important, how COVID-19 is deepening the epidemic of violence against women and children, and why investment in this area will benefit us all.

I'll be tabling this motion at our next Inner West Council meeting on Tuesday 4 August. It seeks for Council to make a submission into the inquiry into the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020, which has been tabled to NSW Parliament by One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham.

I'll be tabling this motion on domestic and family violence at our next Inner West Council meeting on Tuesday 11 August. In short, it aims to continue the strategic leadership and coordination work Council undertakes in this space, and enhance these efforts by developing a strategy to reduce gender inequality - a key driver of this violence.

Next week, I'll be bringing forward a lovely motion to the Council meeting about a donation offer of five "Pride Seats" to celebrate our support for marriage equality and LGBTIQ rights.