Moorabool council public question time has turned into a platform to take “free shots” at council staff, a councillor says.
Moorabool council is considering whether public question time should be removed from meeting agendas through a proposed change to local laws.
Under the proposed change, members of the public would no longer be able to address councillors at meetings unless the matter they wished to speak about was on the agenda.
Members of the community who may wish to pose a question to the council would continue to be able to consult directly with their ward councillor or contact council through social media messaging, the online request system, by phone or in person.
Woodlands ward councillor Pat Toohey said public question time was no longer being used appropriately.
“Public question time has lost respect for this chamber and it has lost respect for this council,” Cr Toohey said.
“Some people are using it as a forum to disrespect this chamber, to take free shots at council officers and make accusations –sometimes without a question even attached to those comments.
“There are a number of ways to access council and ask questions of councillors directly … they are using public question time as a way to jump ahead of everybody else who is going through the correct council process. I can no longer support that.”
Cr Tonia Dudzik suggested, as an alternative, that a form be submitted by residents wanting to speak at question time.
“Having a form would enable councillors to consider the question before the meeting and be able to look into a possible answer,” she said.
‘Essential to democracy’
John Kowarsky was one of several people in the packed public gallery at last Wednesday night’s meeting who objected to the change.
“To be able to question the council is essential to democracy at a local level,” he said.
“It means that issues can be presented and discussed out in the open.
“Some people don’t have access to email or are uncomfortable with writing a submission.
“Keeping public question time at meetings means that instead of only hearing about some things, the council can catch everything.”
The proposed local law change is open for public submissions until June 7.
Go to haveyoursaymoorabool.com.au to make a submission or drop it into a council office at Ballan, Darley or Bacchus Marsh.
