Tuesday, 26 November 2024

 Bill TILLEY (Benambra) (13:07): I wish to extend my congratulations to the newly elected and returned councillors in the Wodonga, Indigo and Towong shires. It is the same for all of us, and probably those that have experience of local government as well, but there is nothing easy about winning a popularity contest, and what lies ahead is even more challenging for all of them. I always offer a bit of advice to them: just be careful what you wish for. We understand and have seen, particularly over the previous 10 years, that the councils and the role of the council have significantly changed under this Labor administration, and not necessarily for the best, but I digress. Once they were all the ratepayers’ voice, responsible for checks and balances, but they are now largely just a rubberstamp for the machine. Councillors are often gagged from speaking on important local issues and are unable to talk openly and honestly with staff lest they be accused of bullying. It seems absurd, and so it is, but no more absurd than the lottery of the single ward vote, in particular Wodonga council. It was one of 30 around the state of Victoria that were moved into this system. Direct representation and greater democracy were the justification for the change, but remember this government also issued a veiled threat to council candidates speaking on contentious issues. Peter Connell was one of the many to write me about the ward structure and said he felt cheated, robbed – (Time expired)