COUNCILLORS MUST HEED COMMUNITY NEEDS, NOT POLITICAL MASTERS
AS the council elections loom, concerns are mounting that Boroondara is becoming a battle ground for party politics.
But former councillor Mary Drost says political parties have no place in council elections. ‘‘You look at the City of Yarra and it’s half Labor and half Green,’’ Ms Drost said. ‘‘And now in Boroondara you’ve got six endorsed Green candidates.’’
Ms Drost said it was a trend that could have implications for council decisions, especially where planning and development were concerned. ‘‘We don’t want Spring St and Canberra interfering with our local government,’’ Ms Drost said.
Independent Bellevue Ward candidate Simon Phipps said it was important council retained its identity. ‘‘When you take an oath of office, you represent the entire municipality,’’ Mr Phipps said. ‘‘To say you represent certain values, be it Green or Labor is fine, but the problem is orchestrated representation. A sworn members’ obligation is to the community, not the party.’’
Municipal Association of Victoria chief executive Rob Spence said councillors should declare political interests.
‘‘It’s not against the law, but any councillor should have all their political affiliations declared . . . so the voter can make an informed decision,’’ Mr Spence said.
‘‘There are 34 former local councillors in state parliament, it would be interesting to know how many declared their political interests in their council campaigns.’’
Greg Gliddon
Glen Eira Debates 
October 2, 2012 at 2:06 PM
If this wasn’t such a liberal dominated council Akehurst’s draft submission on the planning zones would have been far more critical and informative. If this council wasn’t in the grip of the gang there would have been far more critical comments and if any councillor had any idea of what they were consigning residents to, then maybe there would have been far more shock and horror. That’s not to say that Labour is any different since the Newton and Akehurst agendas have been in place for ages. Mary Drost has got it right. We need independents who will always put residents first.
October 2, 2012 at 7:34 PM
The independent horse left the Glen Eira stables long ago. Tucker Ward is completely dominated by party politics as is the current Glen Eira Council and the vast majority of current candidates in all wards (including me who is a Greens candidate – at least the Greens declare their politics up front).
October 3, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Oh Yeah Mr. Hedger! Did you not stand for state elections and (MODERATORS: we have deleted the rest of this comment)
October 3, 2012 at 7:01 PM
I’m not sure what the rest of your comment said Annon, but yes I did stand in the last state election as a Greens Candidate and am happy to respond to any questions put to me about that election or this coming one in Tucker Ward.