Gaza vote set to impact local government elections

The Greens’ conspicuous pro-Palestinian sympathy and sustained hostility to Israel since October 7 may hurt them in the upcoming local government elections.

NSW goes to the polls this weekend and Victoria is holding local postal elections throughout October.

A public campaign has been launched in Sydney over the past month, asking residents to put Greens candidates last.

The campaign is driven by a new lobby group called Better Council, which has recruited volunteers to campaign against Greens candidates in Waverley, Woollahra, Randwick and Inner West councils.

It is advocating against the Greens over their hostility towards Israel, accusing them of diverting local government to focus on international issues and inciting anti-Jewish sentiment.

Among its targets are Randwick Greens Mayor Philipa Veitch, who oversaw a successful proposal last year by Greens councillors on Randwick to fly the Palestinian flag over council chambers, a move that was later reversed.

An organiser of the group, Sophia Calland, told the Sydney Morning Herald that Better Council was a “grassroots group of young professionals” who wanted local government officials to focus on local issues.

“We believe local councils should concentrate on essential community services like waste management, local infrastructure, and the environment. That’s what councils are there for – looking after the needs of their immediate communities.”