South-Eastern Metropolitan Region
David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:48): My question is for the Minister for Local Government. Kingston council was informed by the Victorian government last week that it had appointed a municipal monitor. From what I have seen reported on the council website and in the media, it is not entirely clear what has prompted this move. There have not been any reports of serious governance issues, corrupt conduct or substantial dysfunction. If we are going to have democratic local representation, then it is important that it is actually democratic, which means that people will disagree. Democracy demands robust debate, and it is not clear that anything more than this has happened in Kingston. Residents of Kingston deserve an explanation. Therefore my question to the minister is: will the minister provide an explanation of why a municipal monitor has been appointed at Kingston council and what the estimated cost of this measure will be?