Mitcham Mayor Glenn Spear says councils need to stick to the basics or risk a public push to be scrapped

COUNCILS need to avoid becoming politicised, or risk a public push to be scrapped, an Adelaide mayor has warned.

Mitcham Mayor Glenn Spear at the council chambers. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

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COUNCILS need to stick to the basics and avoid becoming politicised, or risk a public push to be scrapped, Mitcham Mayor Glenn Spear has warned.

Mr Spear said local government was increasingly becoming involved in what were traditionally state and federal issues, including same-sex marriage and the validity of Australia Day celebrations.

“In my opinion, many people question whether we require three levels of government,” Mr Spear said.

“If local government becomes a political animal, one could question its need to exist.”

His warning followed his comments earlier this month that Australia Day was being politicised following a number of pushes from councils across the nation to ban celebrations or change their events.

Mr Spear – who is not a member of any political party – said issues such as policies connected with Australia Day should be left to state and federal governments.

Boothby Xenophon candidate Karen Hockley with Nick Xenophon in the lead-up to last year’s federal election. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Two Victorian councils recently scrapped their Australia Day celebrations and Marion is currently considering doing the same.

A number of New South Wales councils have endorsed same-sex marriage, including Sydney City Council, which has spent $100,000 campaigning for the cause.

“There is a strong argument that local government ought to be a level of government in touch with local issues,” Mr Spear said.

“If we are diverted to comment on national policy, we move away from what we were elected to do and I think it would be very sad to see South Australian councils move in that direction.

“I see that once federal political issues take over councils, I conclude that we’ve become a third tier of government – that’s not what we were elected to do.

He said if councillors wanted to push political barrows, they should leave local government and run for office elsewhere.

“The essential problem is we are elected by only 27 per cent of the population,” he said.

“We are elected to undertake a specific job. People have the chance to stand for federal and state politics if they want to effect national or state legislation changes.”

Labor Boothby candidate Mark Ward with financial services spokesman Jim Chalmers.

Mitcham councillors Mark Ward and Karen Hockley ran unsuccessfully in Boothby at last year’s federal election – for Labor and the Nick Xenophon Team respectively.

Mr Ward resigned from the council during his campaign, while Ms Hockley continued as an elected member.

Local Government Association president Lorraine Rosenberg said councils had a place to participate in social issues, but should not lose sight of core responsibilities.

“As the closest government to communities, we are aware of the extensive discussion and debate that is already happening at a local level around a range of social issues,” Ms Rosenberg said.

“Local government has always had a responsibility to advocate for our communities to ensure all views are considered and heard.

“However, local government needs to continue to concentrate on areas our community expect us to be active within.

“Our primary focus should always be on best serving the interests of our ratepayers and residents, and looking for opportunities to better deliver services to enhance community wellbeing.”