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 The Greens have a comprehensive strategy to combat violence against queer people in Sydney, Greens mayoral candidate Chris Harris tells Peter Hackney.
The idea of declaring Oxford Street and parts of Newtown and Erskineville ‘homophobia-free zones’ has polarised the community. But Chris Harris, The Greens’ candidate for the City of Sydney in the upcoming local government elections, is unequivocal.
“I think it’s a great idea,” he tells SX over coffee at a Chippendale café.
Despite the motion being introduced to Council by independent councillor Phillip Black, part of Clover Moore’s ‘independent team’, Harris is enthusiastic: “It sends a strong message that homophobia will not be tolerated. Obviously, everywhere should be a homophobia-free zone, but actually having it displayed in particular trouble sports is a good symbolic gesture.”
Showing his disdain for grubby political point scoring, Harris says he’s only too happy to take ideas from other political entities under his wing “if I think they’re beneficial”.
Some might say it shows a dearth of The Greens’ own ideas, but Harris says the homophobia-free zones are just a part of a comprehensive plan to combat violence against queer people should The Greens be successful on September 13.
“Our plan is two-fold,” he declares. “Firstly, it’s about education – and homophobia-free zones would be part of that. But secondly, there need to be practical measures to back that up. It’s no good just declaring homophobia-free zones – you also have to do something.”
So what is the education component Harris speaks of?
“Well, it’s our opinion that a lot of the anti-gay violence is to do with ignorance,” asserts Harris. “Not everyone grows up knowing gay people. Not everyone realises that gay people bleed like everyone else, feel like everyone else. So we need to teach them.
And how?
“Council has enormous resources at its disposal,” Harris explains. “I get a leaflet in the mail almost every week trumpeting Clover Moore’s achievements. Why not use that facility for something more worthy, to send out pamphlets and brochures educating people about homophobia?
“Why not launch a full-scale education campaign through the mail to every household in the City of Sydney?
“We propose utilising that resource, as well as postcards aimed at adolescents, and the homophobia-free zones, which send out the message that homophobia is just not acceptable.”
As for the practical measures to back up the education campaign, Harris suggests that Council take a proactive role in supervising licensed venues, which he believes are the source of much of the trouble, to ensure compliance with liquor laws.
“When you get people who are ignorant about LGBTI people, and they’re allowed to get drunk in close proximity to LGBTI people, that’s when trouble occurs,” Harris opines.
“We want Council to have a role in licensing compliance. That means having council rangers patrol venues to ensure they’re not letting people get intoxicated.”
While he acknowledges that council rangers don’t have the power to directly intervene, Harris says: “If a venue is not serving liquor responsibly, [rangers] can report that to the Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing ... they would also be to provide valuable evidence in court when a venue is charged with contravening the Liquor Act.”
Similarly, council rangers supervising venues could call police when violence occurs, he says.
But while he wants council rangers to play a role in fighting homophobia, Harris believes local government has no place “masquerading as police officers”.
He is particularly scathing about plans by The Liberals’ Shayne Mallard for a 100-strong ‘city guardian’ force should Mallard become Lord Mayor.
“The Greens are not impressed with Rambo Mallard,” he deadpans. “Rambo’s idea for a vigilante group is just asking for trouble.”
Similarly, Harris is withering about Clover Moore’s “inaction”.
“She supports the homophobia-free zones, which is laudable. But she doesn’t have any practical measures to back that up, in which case we feel they’re pointless.”
Of course, homophobia is just one of many issues facing voters – queer and otherwise – in the upcoming election. And on what Harris sees as the most important issue, the environment, The Greens’ credentials are paramount, as their name suggests.
“There are many important issues, but the environment is the most urgent problem we face as a community,” Harris believes. “And that’s where none of the other candidates can match us.
“Our core principles are environmental sustainability – and if you look at some of the changes over the last term of Council, there’s no doubt that some of them have happened because of The Greens we’ve got on Council.
“For example, there are about forty different water projects happening within the City of Sydney. Council is now buying 100 per cent green energy, and that too is something that’s largely due to our influence ... If Sydney has a Green mayor, we can be even more effective in addressing the urgent need for environmental reform.”
But Harris is realistic about beating the Clover juggernaut: “No, it may not happen this time around, but one day we will have a Green mayor. I’m quite sure of that.”
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