The incredibly successful charity organisation 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur was at the centre of a controversial and at times heated debate at last night’s Campbelltown Council meeting.
The chairman of 24 Hour, Councillor Fred Borg, sensationally announced that he had taken advice and would be taking part in debate of council’s sponsorship of the charity.
Previously Cr Borg had declared a conflict of interest and abstained whenever 24 Hour came before council or committee meetings.
But this time he stayed to debate and vote on a proposal to reject the charity’s request to council to continue paying for insurance over 12 months.
Under a proposal by the former mayor, Cr Paul Lake, council would continue to sponsor 24 Hour, including insurance, but only for the main fundraising event held over 24 hours in the athletics track of the Campbelltown Stadium every October.
The mayor, Cr Paul Hawker, suggested that paying for the 24 Hour insurance over the full year could set a precedent and end up costing council a lot more money.
“What’s to stop other local charities asking for the same insurance cover from council,’’ he said.
Cr Hawker moved an additional motion that council create “a policy of transparency and equity” regarding sponsorship of local charities.
But both this and Cr Lake’s motion were narrowly defeated when put to the vote.
In a 15 member council chamber, eight is the magic number and with the support of Cr Sue Dobson and the six Labor councillors, Meg Oates, Wal Glynn, Rudi Kolkman, George Brticevic, Darcy Lound and Anoulack Chanthivong, Cr Borg had just enough to push back at the proposal.
When it had become clear the numbers favoured Cr Borg’s position, Cr Lake offered a compromise.
“I would prefer we paid as part of our sponsorship, money towards 365 day insurance cover, but let 24 Hour go and organise it themselves,’’ Cr Lake said.
Cr Borg declined the offer and insisted there should be no change to current arrangements, which cost council around $4,000 a year.
Of that, around $2,700 goes towards providing indemnity insurance to the 24 Hour charity for a full year and for all its associated functions, such as golf days.
The debate lit up when Cr George Greiss claimed Cr Borg did benefit from 24 Hour because he “gets a lot of publicity’’.
A furious Cr Borg interrupted Cr Greiss to deny that he was chairman of the 24 Hour to get publicity for himself.
“If you think that’s why I do it you must be kidding,’’ Cr Borg said.
“I won’t take that,’’ he said.
After a few moments of mayhem, the mayor was able to restore order.
Cr Lake said he wanted to make it clear that he wasn’t against council sponsoring 24 Hour or any other local charities.
“I just don’t think we should be providing the insurance for the whole year.
“I am happy for us to sponsor the event at the Campbelltown Stadium, including the insurance.
“But it’s over the top to pay for insurance for 12 months.
“We don’t do it for anyone else,’’ Cr Lake said.
Labor councillors and Cr Borg defended the insurance and the sponsorship, saying that 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer was a “wonderful Campbelltown charity’’ which had raised more than $3 million for local cancer treatment services.
