Meeting Procedure Local Law
One of the suite of documents drafted to showcase how Council has changed includes a review of the Brimbank Local Meeting Law. As it turns out one of the key changes is grossly undemocratic.
In an obvious attempt to stifle independent opinions and debate, the 10 Labor councillors voted to require a second councillor's signature before any motion can be moved. Whilst the other ten councillors remain a bloc of sorts, this effectively means my motions remain unheard in the chamber unless I receive their consent.
As the only non-Labor councillor, it is clear that this is change to meeting procedure is aimed at preventing me from moving any motions and raising issues that I, as an elected representative, believe is in the community's interest.
With the whole of Victoria watching Brimbank and the conduct of Brimbank Councillors, we need to demonstrate that we are a democratic Council making transparent and accountable decisions.
I would be very interested to know Bill Scales' view on this.
http://brimbankgreensmedia.blogspot.com/2009/06/greens-councillor-condemns-brimbank.html
Showing posts with label councillor conduct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label councillor conduct. Show all posts
22.6.09
18.6.09
Special Meeting: Ombudsman Victoria report recommendations
Seven items were tabled, relating to recommendations in the Ombudsman Victoria report into "the alleged improper conduct of councillors". The items specifically related to matters such as declarations of gifts, access to (Council) information, councillor conduct (behaviour), and meeting procedure.
Each was forced through the agenda, as the old guard of new (and some not-so-new) Labor-aligned councillors read in turn their carbon copy statements about 'unity-of-the-future' and the 'somewhat unfortunate' past.
The TV media were there, the local papers, Council's entire Media team, and Liberal MPs David Davies and Jeanette Powell amongst others. Some councillors were so bold as to declare, hand-on-heart, that none of the present councillors are Labor-aligned. (A partial admission that Brimbank Labor is on the nose for good reason.) Presumably 20-odd years of stacking and factional shuffling had folded with the previous council, the memory of their own recent (and now documented) deals for upcoming mayoralty conveniently forgotten.
I put forward a motion that motions (including recission motions) should not to need to be seconded in order to be brought to the chamber. If this were the case back when the Sunshine Pool was being used as a political football, we would not have a Sunshine Leisure Centre to speak of today.
I also proposed that motions put to the chamber that are not seconded also be recorded in the minutes. To which Cr Guidice and the Mayor Cr Atanasovski replied such unseconded motions need no air time in the chamber as it would cause embarrassment to the Council. I can only take this to mean that any view that is not consistent with theirs ruling faction is an embarassment. How soon they forget that those 27% of Harvester who had hoped that I would champion their interests in the chamber deserve also to be represented.
It's very easy to be drawn into the cynicism (about community participation, about party politics and the like) but we really needn't be. Brimbank is bigger than the Labor Party. And change in the Brimbank political landscape is occuring, whether they're paying attention or not.
Seven items were tabled, relating to recommendations in the Ombudsman Victoria report into "the alleged improper conduct of councillors". The items specifically related to matters such as declarations of gifts, access to (Council) information, councillor conduct (behaviour), and meeting procedure.
Each was forced through the agenda, as the old guard of new (and some not-so-new) Labor-aligned councillors read in turn their carbon copy statements about 'unity-of-the-future' and the 'somewhat unfortunate' past.
The TV media were there, the local papers, Council's entire Media team, and Liberal MPs David Davies and Jeanette Powell amongst others. Some councillors were so bold as to declare, hand-on-heart, that none of the present councillors are Labor-aligned. (A partial admission that Brimbank Labor is on the nose for good reason.) Presumably 20-odd years of stacking and factional shuffling had folded with the previous council, the memory of their own recent (and now documented) deals for upcoming mayoralty conveniently forgotten.
I put forward a motion that motions (including recission motions) should not to need to be seconded in order to be brought to the chamber. If this were the case back when the Sunshine Pool was being used as a political football, we would not have a Sunshine Leisure Centre to speak of today.
I also proposed that motions put to the chamber that are not seconded also be recorded in the minutes. To which Cr Guidice and the Mayor Cr Atanasovski replied such unseconded motions need no air time in the chamber as it would cause embarrassment to the Council. I can only take this to mean that any view that is not consistent with theirs ruling faction is an embarassment. How soon they forget that those 27% of Harvester who had hoped that I would champion their interests in the chamber deserve also to be represented.
It's very easy to be drawn into the cynicism (about community participation, about party politics and the like) but we really needn't be. Brimbank is bigger than the Labor Party. And change in the Brimbank political landscape is occuring, whether they're paying attention or not.
11.6.09
Watchdog nails Brimbank building inspector
I was horrified to learn about the findings of the Ombudsman Victoria's second report Conflict of Interest and Abuse of Power by a Building Inspector at Brimbank City Council (tabled today in Parliament).
The Ombudsman, George Brouwer says his report into the actions of a building inspector at our Council should be a reminder to all public officers about the damage caused by conflicts of interest and misuse of power.
“It demonstrates how vulnerable members of the community can be affected by the action of public officers,” Mr Brouwer said.
“It also demonstrates how this can erode the public trust.”
In the wake of the OV's first damning report about councillor misconduct the other councillors have demonstrated a choreographed will to present an image of a 'united council' to the public. In the process, I and many others who have different but valid views on these matters have been roundly ignored.
I am concerned that they will similarly play down the significance of these recent findings at the expense of allowing the corruption and entrenched cynicism which have underpinned poor governance at Brimbank to be flushed out and properly dealt with.
I was horrified to learn about the findings of the Ombudsman Victoria's second report Conflict of Interest and Abuse of Power by a Building Inspector at Brimbank City Council (tabled today in Parliament).
The Ombudsman, George Brouwer says his report into the actions of a building inspector at our Council should be a reminder to all public officers about the damage caused by conflicts of interest and misuse of power.
“It demonstrates how vulnerable members of the community can be affected by the action of public officers,” Mr Brouwer said.
“It also demonstrates how this can erode the public trust.”
In the wake of the OV's first damning report about councillor misconduct the other councillors have demonstrated a choreographed will to present an image of a 'united council' to the public. In the process, I and many others who have different but valid views on these matters have been roundly ignored.
I am concerned that they will similarly play down the significance of these recent findings at the expense of allowing the corruption and entrenched cynicism which have underpinned poor governance at Brimbank to be flushed out and properly dealt with.
1.6.09
Streets Ahead at Ardeer PS
Residents gathered to discuss the formation of a new advisory committee to help determine new projects for the Adeer and Albion area. The projects will be promoting a safe, child-friendly neighbourhood.
MAV selects membership of Councillor Conduct Panels
Five legal practitioners and seven people with municipal governance experience have been chosen by the Municipal Association of Victoria to be members of conduct panels that will hear allegations of misconduct by councillors
Funding cut from major council climate change program
Federal Government funding has been withdrawn from a major national program that has assisted many Australian councils to address climate change issues. ICLEI Oceania has revealed the Rudd Government has advised that federal funding for the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia program will cease on June 30. The departure of CCP leaves twelve years of local government capacity building in this area stranded.
Australian Story "Back to Earth" ABC TV 1, Mon 1 June 2009 at 8pm (EST)See a preview at: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/default.htm
Just a quick note on this tv program that promises to outline some issues facing our food security
"June 1: Dr Maarten Stapper has fascinating ideas on how to better manage our land, to feed the world with less synthetic chemicals. He also challenges the use of GM crops. Dr Stapper paid a high price for promoting a greener, cleaner way to grow food. A CSIRO scientist for 30 years, he left when his views on biological farming and GM collided with those held by CSIRO Plant Industry. Now he travels the country teaching farmers how to improve and nurture their soils, to create healthy, productive, profitable farms and foods for us all."
Residents gathered to discuss the formation of a new advisory committee to help determine new projects for the Adeer and Albion area. The projects will be promoting a safe, child-friendly neighbourhood.
MAV selects membership of Councillor Conduct Panels
Five legal practitioners and seven people with municipal governance experience have been chosen by the Municipal Association of Victoria to be members of conduct panels that will hear allegations of misconduct by councillors
Funding cut from major council climate change program
Federal Government funding has been withdrawn from a major national program that has assisted many Australian councils to address climate change issues. ICLEI Oceania has revealed the Rudd Government has advised that federal funding for the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Australia program will cease on June 30. The departure of CCP leaves twelve years of local government capacity building in this area stranded.
Australian Story "Back to Earth" ABC TV 1, Mon 1 June 2009 at 8pm (EST)See a preview at: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/default.htm
Just a quick note on this tv program that promises to outline some issues facing our food security
"June 1: Dr Maarten Stapper has fascinating ideas on how to better manage our land, to feed the world with less synthetic chemicals. He also challenges the use of GM crops. Dr Stapper paid a high price for promoting a greener, cleaner way to grow food. A CSIRO scientist for 30 years, he left when his views on biological farming and GM collided with those held by CSIRO Plant Industry. Now he travels the country teaching farmers how to improve and nurture their soils, to create healthy, productive, profitable farms and foods for us all."
10.5.09
Sack the ALP!
I am ploughing through the rest of the Ombudsman’s report into Brimbank Council and I am keen to extend the message that so far seems to be predominating in the media calling for the sacking of the council.
We can't rely on the Labor Party to fix this mess. Bringing in an administrator will be bringing in an ALP person. Suggesting the Local Government Victoria or the Local Government Minister (Richard Wynne MP) can fix it is nonsense when they are the ones who refused to address it up til now. Every ALP MP in this area has been implicated - right up to Premier Brumby who relies on them for his numbers.
I think we need to call for another election immediately, and let the people of Brimbank decide. Let them face the electorate having disgraced themselves and run down democracy in the West. I want to see people genuine in their commitment to our community step up and redefine our local politics for the public good.
I am ploughing through the rest of the Ombudsman’s report into Brimbank Council and I am keen to extend the message that so far seems to be predominating in the media calling for the sacking of the council.
We can't rely on the Labor Party to fix this mess. Bringing in an administrator will be bringing in an ALP person. Suggesting the Local Government Victoria or the Local Government Minister (Richard Wynne MP) can fix it is nonsense when they are the ones who refused to address it up til now. Every ALP MP in this area has been implicated - right up to Premier Brumby who relies on them for his numbers.
I think we need to call for another election immediately, and let the people of Brimbank decide. Let them face the electorate having disgraced themselves and run down democracy in the West. I want to see people genuine in their commitment to our community step up and redefine our local politics for the public good.
9.5.09
Interview with 774AM Jon Faine
I am interviewed by Jon Faine, who has an instinct for inducing a sensationalist sound bite and cuts me off when I explain the importance of voting for the Greens.
Link to the interview
I am interviewed by Jon Faine, who has an instinct for inducing a sensationalist sound bite and cuts me off when I explain the importance of voting for the Greens.
Link to the interview
8.5.09
Released: The Victorian Ombudsman’s report into alleged improper conduct at Brimbank Council
This report is well overdue and very welcome. It is finally saying the things our community has been telling the Local Government Minister for years. Now we need action to eliminate these practises and ensure genuine democratic processes.
The Brimbank Greens call for new elections immediately.
Streets Ahead in Ardeer and Albion
This evening more than fifty Ardeer and Albion residents turned out for a well organised workshop which looked at making our neighbourhood safer for children and more welcoming for all. Next meeting is on the 1st June 2009.
This report is well overdue and very welcome. It is finally saying the things our community has been telling the Local Government Minister for years. Now we need action to eliminate these practises and ensure genuine democratic processes.
The Brimbank Greens call for new elections immediately.
Streets Ahead in Ardeer and Albion
This evening more than fifty Ardeer and Albion residents turned out for a well organised workshop which looked at making our neighbourhood safer for children and more welcoming for all. Next meeting is on the 1st June 2009.
6.5.09
Meeting procedure Local Law Review
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
Please see my comments at http://www.brimbank.greens.org.au/
'Social' not 'affordable housing' at Sunvale PS site
Officers have come back with a discussion after this matter was deferred from the last Council meeting. I am told that there was a mix up with the definition of the words ‘affordable housing’ where they really meant ‘social housing’. It should be noted though that no discussions around social housing have occurred with the Department of Human Services.
Council civic centre building
I was the only one who opposed this development at the last meeting and now some other Councillors are expressing concerns. Perhaps they are finally taking heed of the community’s protests against the civic centre - not at Errington, and not at all.
29.4.09
Meeting of the Keilor Cemetery Trust
At this meeting I was astonished to learn that the finance officer of the Trust had been under pressure from Kathryn Eriksson to investigate the Bank of Cyprus for a term deposit as the manager was a friend of hers. We quickly moved to ensure a transparent tender review process was to be implemented.
Broadband
Federal Member for Gorton* Brendan O’Connor's recent comments about the Rudd Labor Government providing broadband to the ordinary people would strike as sincere if there weren't the problem of other vital and missing services to the people of the West. Suddenly broadband access is important to Labor and perhaps big business, but out of step with the needs of this community.
*the Federal seat of Gorton which shares similar electoral boundaries to Brimbank local government area.
At this meeting I was astonished to learn that the finance officer of the Trust had been under pressure from Kathryn Eriksson to investigate the Bank of Cyprus for a term deposit as the manager was a friend of hers. We quickly moved to ensure a transparent tender review process was to be implemented.
Broadband
Federal Member for Gorton* Brendan O’Connor's recent comments about the Rudd Labor Government providing broadband to the ordinary people would strike as sincere if there weren't the problem of other vital and missing services to the people of the West. Suddenly broadband access is important to Labor and perhaps big business, but out of step with the needs of this community.
*the Federal seat of Gorton which shares similar electoral boundaries to Brimbank local government area.
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