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 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.

I've submitted this motion to the Inner West Council meeting on Tuesday 21 April in relation to the Australian Government's draft Religious Discrimination Bill. I'm pleased to say it passed with near unanimous support, with only Clr Passas voting against.