The minister for local government Wendy Tuckerman says Labor frontbencher Greg Warren has got it all wrong on proposals to make changes on councillors’ conduct and accountability.
Ms Tuckerman, pictured above, has told the South West Voice in Macarthur communities will not lose any democratic rights as a result of the recommendations from an independent report.
“Let me be clear: the public’s right to attend and observe council meetings is guaranteed under the Local Government Act,’’ Ms Tuckerman said in response to Mr Warren’s criticisms, published in the South West Voice yesterday.
“Any reforms proposed to the councillor conduct framework will not remove this right,’’ the minister said.
“The government guarantees that this right will remain.’’
The report, Focus on civic responsibility: councillor conduct accountability in NSW, has been handed to the government.
“An independent report prepared by Gary Kellar contains 49 recommendations aimed at improving the integrity, transparency and accountability of the state’s 1200 local councillors,’’ says Ms Tuckerman.
“The shadow minister for local government Greg Warren seems to misunderstand the point of an independent report: to provide frank and fearless advice to government for consideration on improving frameworks for the community.
“Indeed, when he wrote to me last year, encouraging the government to implement recommendations without delay, I fully expected him to provide constructive feedback.
“The government is undertaking final consultation and I encourage all stakeholders, including councils and the community wishing to provide constructive feedback, to view the independent report and consultation guide.’’
