Sally Betts
Sally Betts is the current Mayor of Waverley Municipal Council (or Waverley Council), a local government area in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Betts is a member of the Australian Liberal Party. Betts was first elected in 1995.[1][2]
Mayor of Waverley
Support for SHS funding
Sally Betts has stated her support for the NSW government's funding of Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) providers, saying "It is hard to criticise the Government for funding such organisations as Wesley Mission, St Vincent’s de Paul, Caretakers Cottage, The Uniting Church, Salvation Army, Ted Noffs, Jewish House and in fact B Miles when these organisations are obviously most capable of dealing with homelessness and indeed delivering specific women’s services in our community." Betts criticised a local council decision that was thought to be turned into a political campaign against then Minister for Family and Community Services, Gabrielle Upton, who had been instrumental in increasing homelessness funding. Ms Betts said "Using the homeless as a political football is repugnant and council would not support any such ploy."[3]
Reference letter incident
In 2015, Betts received some media attention and some public criticism following her intervention, writing a character reference on behalf of convicted rapist, Luke Lazarus.[4][5][6]
See also
References
- ^ "Sally Betts Reelected as Mayor Waverley Council." WN News. 19 Sep. 2014.
- ^ "Councillors." Waverley Council. Accessed 22 June 2015.
- ^ Richardson, Nick. "Concern building over future of women’s homelessness support." Altmedia.net.au. 10 July 2014.
- ^ "Convicted rapist Luke Lazarus jailed for at least three years." Sydney Mornaing Herald. 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Waverley Mayor Sally Betts defends writing reference for convicted rapist." The Daily Telegraph. 1 April 2015.
- ^ "Turnbull office refuses to back Waverley mayor over reference." The Guardian. 15 April 2015.