Geraldine Brooks, Greens Candidate for Derrimut: democracy

26.8.09

geraldinebrooks.blogspot.com is launched!
Yes, after four solid months of blogging I've opened up this blog to the wonderful world wide web.

I've found it to be a very simple and immediate way to communicate to the community my motivations and interpretations of what Council is, and could be, achieving. And I'm serious about finding new ways to engage our residents with Council activities and decision-making. I sincerely hope this blog contributes to rescuing the political process in Brimbank.

I'm feeling absolutely inspired after last week's community meeting regarding the Ombudsman Victoria report. And I'll endeavour to keep up this alternative public record for anyone looking for an alternative perspective on what's important to Brimbank.

Cheers,
Geraldine

Please note my motions put to the Chamber can be found here: http://brimbankgreensmotions.blogspot.com/
and media releases here: http://brimbankgreensmedia.blogspot.com/

22.6.09

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

About Geraldine

Geraldine Brooks moved to Melbourne’s western suburbs in 1996 to work as a podiatrist. She has been an active community member ever since; contributing energy, skills and time to improving her community, including: • Being board member of Community West; • President of Sunshine Kindergarten; • President and secretary of the Ardeer Community Playground; • a member of Sunshine Primary School Council; • a member of the Friends of Kororoit Creek. • Group leader and voluntary breastfeeding counsellor with the Australian Breastfeeding Association Brimbank group. • instigator behind the establishment of the Ardeer Community Park, a formerly abandoned grassy space that housed a lead factory. She organised a group of parents to form a committee. Together they lobbied the Victorian and Federal Governments for money to redevelop the area, and applied for grants to help establish Ardeer’s only park. In November 2008 Geraldine was elected as the Greens councillor for the Harvester Ward on Brimbank City Council. The council was sacked by the Victorian Labor Government on August 2009, following an investigation by Ombudsman Victoria that found Labor councillors were involved in corrupt activities and several Victorian Labor MPs interfering in the business of council. Geraldine was active in calling for a new council election to replace the corrupt Councillors with genuine community representatives. Geraldine is the Greens candidate for the seat of Derrimut in the upcoming state election, to be held later this year. She believes people in the west deserve an advocate that will genuinely represent them in Parliament, to help them get a better on public transport, parks, health and education.

Family Fun Day

26.8.09

22.6.09