No broken promises would be a good start in engaging the people

An interesting debate took place at the Campbelltown Council meeting on Tuesday night and it’s a pity more people weren’t there to hear it.

On the surface it did not really look like there was much substance to it.

Proposals for council to meet more often in a bid to handle what is expected to be a lot more development applications included a small change to the starting time.

It was proposed that the two council meetings each month start at 6.30pm instead of at 7pm.

It may have been over a 30 minute difference, but almost half the councillors wanted to have their say on it.

Those who wanted to stay with the 7pm start argued that 6.30 pm would be just too early for most local residents.

On the other side the argument was that if you really wanted to attend a meeting you would find a way to get there on time.

Somewhere along the debate the point was also made that council should be doing all it can to encourage local people to get interested in council affairs, including attending regular meetings.

Last week’s mayoral elections saw a packed council chamber and it would be good to see that sort of attendance at ordinary meetings, argued George Greiss, the new leader of the three man Liberal Party team on the council.

During the last term a couple of attempts were made by a councillor who did not get re-elected to have council meetings podcasted so the good people of Campbelltown could entertain themselves at home with a cup of tea in front of the computer screen.

But I’m afraid it’s a waste of time, because the people, well, they ain’t listening at the moment.

Whether it’s Canberra or state politics or council debates, the people, mostly, have switched off.

[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]Too many broken promises, too many lies.[/social_quote]

If we want the people to start listening again, to become engaged – and surely that’s a good thing for a community, a state and a country – then there’s only one way.

Roll up the sleeves and start working at ways to bring the people back into the fold.

Even little things like council meeting times may be needed to achieve such a noble aim.

Then politicians need to start keeping their pledges and oaths of office.

They need to start keeping their promises, including the promise to always act in the interest of the people.

If they do all that it won’t matter what time meetings start, but they will need more seats in the public gallery.