Friday 8 July 2016

Liberals Absent From Extraordinary Meetings

BY GARY LYSAGHT

Newcastle Council’s Liberal Councillors have been accused of using obstructive tactics to force a merger between Newcastle and Port Stephens Council after lodging a motion to block legal action against the merger and then failing to turn up to meetings to discuss the motion.

Council has held three extraordinary meetings this week, with the expectation to discuss the motion to rescind legal action only to be halted by the absence of those wanting to stop potential legal action.

Jason Dunn [Image: Newcastle Herald].
“We’re payed an allowance to attend meetings and I don’t think there’s an excuse for any Councillor, particularly a Councillor that has actually brought a motion [to not turn up],” said Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn.

“As elected Councillors, that's what we signed up for.”

“I know I’ve turned up to a meeting before to ensure we have decorum, with an 18 month old child with me, but that’s what you do to make sure Council can function,” he said.

Liberal Councillor Brad Luke was among those who didn’t attend any of this week’s meetings and says he had personal commitments that prevented him from attending.

“Being on Council’s a part-time job, they [Councillors] have other businesses they’re running and jobs they’re doing and they set their life schedule around that meeting schedule,” he said.

Luke also suggested that it wasn’t only Liberal members not attending the extraordinary meetings.

“[Labor] Councillor Tim Crackanthorp has also not been at any meeting this week,” he said.

Liberal Councillors have been critical of the motion to seek legal advice on the proposed merger since it was first suggested, saying it’s unlikely to change anything since the State Government can simply amend anything wrong with the proposal.

Liberal Councillors Brad Luke and Sharon Waterhouse [Image: Newcastle Herald]. 

They've summed it up as a big waste of money.

Jason Dunn has suggested the Councillors critical of the motion should attend the next extraordinary meeting on Thursday, saying they need to make time for that meeting.

“If they’re too busy with work and other commitments, well then, they should really consider their position as a Councillor I would think,” he said.

“It really is a disgraceful situation that these Councillors who are paid to attend these meetings and represent the community can’t be bothered turning up.”

Brad Luke has been critical of the whole situation, suggesting Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is calling extraordinary meetings for no reason.

“The only time you normally have an extraordinary meeting is in times of great urgency,” he said.

“This is simply the Lord Mayor wanting to waste money on pursuing legal action, suing the State Government.”

Luke also accused the Lord Mayor of “playing political games and carrying on”.


“I think it’s utterly ridiculous the way she is going on with this,” he said.