Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Sending a message to Macquarie Street

By Richard Stanton - posted Thursday, 18 September 2008


The report focused on the way most Tweed Shire councillors were elected, finding that they were “puppets” of a developer-controlled group known as Tweed Directions.

The department claims its most important job is to ensure that councils are efficient and sustainable and that they deliver quality services to their communities. But if we think about the democratic nature of councils and the election process, then they should not need watching.

Various calls for the process to be reviewed were made public after Broken Hill was sacked last year for “bad behaviour”.

Advertisement

Then opposition local government spokesman John Turner said it is outrageous to remove local representation for that long and that six months should be enough before new elections were held.

Genia McCaffery from the Local Government Association made the same statement and added the state government should have acted against “individual councillors” rather than sacking the entire council, an option available in Victoria

Broken Hill's federal MP, John Cobb, said he was angry at the three-year appointment of an administrator and that the town of 20,000 had lost its democratic rights.

If Liverpool and Warringah are indicators, then Broken Hill and the other councils coming off the bench in 2012 can look forward to voters sending another strong message to Macquarie Street, unless the process changes before then.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

3 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Richard Stanton is a political communication writer and media critic. His most recent book is Do What They Like: The Media In The Australian Election Campaign 2010.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Richard Stanton

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 3 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy