Two terms as mayor of Greater Bendigo is enough
Mayor Cr Margaret O’Rourke’s stated when sworn in for a third Mayoral term that it is crucial for the City of Greater Bendigo to provide “positive governance” at a time when the public is disaffected with the federal government (“Mayor Margaret O’Rourke sworn in for third term”, Bendigo Advertiser, November 21).
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I agree Council must provide “positive governance”, but for the mayor to comment on federal governance when all is not perfect in Greater Bendigo was counterproductive; an unnecessary political comment unsuited to local government.
Our city must have a positive collaborative relationship with the federal government, particularly when seeking considerable funding for major projects.
The mayor makes much of a united Bendigo Council and “great teamwork”, yet at least four councillors wanted a new city leader. Given the tied vote, and having served two terms, Margaret should have graciously stood aside and given the mayoral opportunity to another talented councillor team member. Two mayoral terms is enough. I sense most residents would agree.
I am aware that some councillors and senior staff attempted to keep the tied mayoral vote and the drawing from a hat secret from residents? Why? What an insult. Is our council so concerned about its cultivated image that it is afraid of the truth? Councillors’ voting patterns in mayoral elections should be known to the public so they are fully accountable.
It is my intention to canvass government, to remove some of the CEO and bureaucracy control powers in the hope reasonable open debate can return to the Council Chamber rather than behind closed-door suppression.
Currently I believe democracy is not well served by local government and that is stopping well intentioned community members from seeking election.
Max Turner, Bendigo
Our parliament needs ‘a shake-up, for sure’
Wow! Now the federal member for Chisholm [Julia Banks] has resigned from the Federal Liberal Party and has joined the ranks of independents.
Her claim is that the reactionary regressive right wing of the party is only talking to themselves rather than the people.
Read more: Bishop not surprised by Banks resignation
Our parliament needs a shake-up for sure after the Australian Public Service Commission report which stated that more than 4000 public servants say they have witnessed corruption in the past year.
The report also noted " an ongoing decline in the trust Australians have across all three tiers of government.
The loss of trust in government often comes when there's a loss of trust in the capacity of people to deliver services. Or engage people seriously along the way when deciding on policy'
Bill Collier, Golden Square
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