MAJOR changes proposed for councils outlined by Premier David Crisafulli at last week’s Local Government Association conference were warmly greeted by councillors.
The only real criticism was the lack of detail.
These changes have been a long time coming and follow ongoing complaints from councils, councillors and the LGAQ since former Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk introduced heavy-handed measures aimed at addressing the serious concerns raised through the Crime and Corruption Commission’s Operation Belcarra, the investigation into Ipswich City Council – Operation Windage, and the Coaldrake Review.
The response from the Palaszczuk government clearly went too far in the other direction, reducing the role of elected councillors to a mouthpiece for the local government administration.
Under the Palaszczuk government reforms, councillors were no longer an elected representative voicing the concerns of their constituents, and were even restricted in their ability to inform their community of matters of interest.
Councillors effectively became an employee of the Council rather than a representative of their community.
Speaking out against the administration could attract the attention of the Office of the Independent Assessor. In that way, the OIA had a skewed view of the role of a councillor when that councillor was in opposition.
In councils where the separation between the Mayor’s office and the CEO’s office were questionable, the OIA was open to being politically weaponised.
We look forward to reporting on the detail of this Bill as it is brought before Parliament and hopefully the progress that can be achieved in the city.
