A councillor says a push to spend thousands of dollars on rainbow flags doesn’t make sense due to current cost of living pressures.

Merri-Bek City Council on Wednesday will vote on a Greens proposal to spend up to $45,000 on painting two rainbow flags at a key community crossing.

While stressing he is an ally of the LGBTIQA+ community, Councillor Oscar Yildiz told Tom Elliott that “symbolic” gestures with heavy costs may not be beneficial.

Press PLAY to hear Oscar Yildiz’s FULL chat with Tom Elliott 

“I support their rights and their freedoms,” he said on 3AW Mornings.

“But symbolic gestures like this need to be weighted against the cost and benefits of the wider communities … times are tough and councils must (look at their costs).”

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