‘‘To the CEO, Mayor and Councillors of Benalla Rural City.
‘‘The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017 ‘...for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.’
‘‘This is the first Nobel Peace Prize with its origins in Australia. ICAN’s co-founder and founding chair was local resident Dr Tilman Ruff.
‘‘In 2017, 122 nations voted to adopt the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As of February 25 70 nations have signed the Treaty. Australia is yet to sign.
‘‘The following petitioners request that Benalla Rural City Council join other Australian cities expressing their support for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons as an urgent humanitarian imperative.
‘‘We request that council endorse the ICAN Cities Appeal urging the Australian Government to sign and ratify the treaty.
‘‘We further request that council communicate its endorsement to the prime minister, foreign and defence ministers, the leader of the opposition, shadow foreign and defence ministers, and leaders of all political parties represented in the Australian Parliament.’’
The petition was officially received by council before Wednesday’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
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