The recent controversy over the 'secret' meetings that Bundaberg Regional Council have embarked upon and the failure of Cr. Barnes to get a seconder at a recent Council meeting to discuss this process has certainly, and rightly, caused a lot of concern within our Communities.
There are no doubt many times when Council needs to discuss confidential subjects that maybe Commercial In Confidence, or of a confidential staffing matter, however the ongoing 'secret meetings' that apparently have become the norm in Council processes offers a perception of 'secrecy' that is of real concern.
It seems that individual councillors have quickly forgotten that irrespective of intent, that perception in the minds of community is reality. Therefore if the perception is 'secrecy' then in the community mind it is reality and councillors should seriously have some individually and group reflection upon this.
It is my contention that perhaps the major rationale for the formation of the 'secret' meetings of Council is systematic failure of Council elected representatives as a whole, and individually, in not having any internal political opposition and that all Councilors have fallen into line as if one 'political party'. Councillors have been allocated various portfolios and only the councillor with a particular portfolio replies to any community or media discussion. They act as if they have created their own local political party and each portfolio holder or 'minister', defends the decisions of that Party no matter the rights or wrongs of that decision.
Missing from the public arena are the individual thoughts, opinions and discussions of all councillors. Apart Cr. Barnes recent attempt to right this wrong, there no credible internal dissenting voice/s of Council decisions, policy or program directions from other elected representatives. Even with A Personal View entering straight into each Council members email inbox, only one has taken the time to respond, Cr. Wayne Honour, however I suggest that he has been appointed the official responder to my discussions.
Ladies and Gentlemen of Bundaberg City Council this is Local Government and the openness and transparency of Government starts with you, at the 'Local' - grassroots - level of our every dwindling democracy. Government at all levels is only as good as the opposition it faces, we only have to look at why Labor's enjoys its ongoing rule of this State
I implore to each individual Councillor to remember you are not one political party, you represent all the communities of Bundaberg Region and currently you are treating them with contempt.
This is my personal view and I welcome your feedback
Mal
2 comments:
Right On!
Come the election!
Watch them scramble then!
Its about time someone had the guts to bring this secret Council to count. I agree that they are one big family and dont like anyone having a go at them. It only goes to prove that they need to be brought to account.
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