Mayor Blocks Motions, but Council Votes to Reconsider Funding at Mid-Year Review

Cr Kate Roper’s amendment gains unanimous support after Cr Patton’s motions ruled out of order

A protest, political friction, and a surprise amendment defined Tuesday night’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council meeting, where community groups had hoped to see urgent action on recent funding cuts — only to discover that two detailed motions by Cr Max Patton had been blocked by Mayor Anthony Marsh.

The motions, which sought impact assessments and community consultation on cuts to arts, First Nations, and environmental programs, along with a structured response to climate change, were listed on the agenda as Notices of Motion 490 and 491. However, they were ruled out of order by the Mayor and never reached debate.

In response, Cr Kate Roper introduced an alternative motion during general business, proposing that Council revisit funding for several affected programs during the mid-year budget review, should a financial surplus be available.

“I’ve just put this forward amendment due to the large number of emails and calls that I — and I believe all councillors — received,” Cr Roper said.

Her motion proposed that funding for the following be referred for consideration during the mid-year review:

• Arts and Culture – Creative Grants
• Willum Warrain Reconciliation Program
• Dolphin Research Institute – Education Program

Cr Roper clarified that this motion did not guarantee reinstated funding, but would allow councillors to consider the impacts of the cuts in the lead-up to the December–January mid-year financial review.

“If there’s no surplus, this won’t happen,” she added, “but I ask fellow councillors to consider the stress in our community over recent changes in funding.”

The motion was unanimously supported. Councillor David Gill and Councillor Max Patton both voiced support, despite expressing concerns that it did not go far enough.

Cr Patton, whose original motions included in-depth reporting and benchmarking requests, was visibly frustrated that his proposals had been denied.

The decision follows significant public backlash to the 6 May Council resolution that saw the removal of long-standing grants and subsidies supporting the arts, reconciliation, and environmental education. Protesters gathered ahead of the meeting, chanting and singing in a peaceful demonstration organised by Save Our Arts MP and MP Music.

Arts advocate Tracey Hutchinson, speaking at the protest, addressed the emotional toll on the community:

“We’ve all heard tonight that there has not been the kind of consultation with the impacted communities that we would expect — not only according to the Local Government Act but according to what good leadership looks like.”