Mount Gambier councillor Kate Amoroso says meeting attendance report was a “personal attack”

Mount Gambier council attendance records have been revealed, with one disgruntled councillor hitting back, labelling the request a targeted attack.

A report revealing Mount Gambier council meeting attendance records “speaks for itself” a councillor says, as an outspoken councillor hits back at a “personal attack”.

According to the June meeting agenda, councillor Max Bruins requested the attendance report which councillor Kate Amoroso has slammed the report as a waste of council resources.

Mount Gambier Council’s Kate Amoroso says the request for councillor attendance records was a targeted attack. Picture: Jessica Ball

“Upon standing for election, all elected members have made a commitment to the community to stay informed, participate in debate and fulfil their duties in a responsible manner,” Cr Bruins’ rationale reads.

“Attendance at certain meetings of late would indicate that not all are taking this commitment seriously.

“The community has a right to remain informed of those elected members who are consistently absent and not fulfilling their role in line with community expectations.”

Cr Amoroso amended the motion asking the report reflect councillors’ requirements under the Local Government Act and notice given ahead of meetings.

The report was tabled at last week’s meeting conducted by Zoom as a statewide Covid-19 lockdown came into effect with Cr Bruins saying “it speaks for itself”.

Mount Gambier councillor Max Bruins. Picture: Louise Agnew Photography

According to the report there are no meeting attendance requirements but it noted the oath councillors take to “fulfil the duties of office in the public interest, to the best of [their] judgment and abilities”.

Cr Amoroso’s future on the council was called into question in October after failing to attend three consecutive council meetings.

The councillor says she spent three months in Victorian hospitals including time in ICU in a critical condition in early 2020, and had returned to Victoria to have a stent removed from her liver.

At the time Cr Amoroso’s request for a leave of absence on medical grounds was denied and she said she was removed from a number of advisory groups against her wishes.

“This devastated me, but in an effort to not let it beat me I thought I would refocus my energies and continue with my heavy involvement in the community by way of joining a raft of other groups and committees external to council,” Cr Amoroso said.

“They targeted me by taking me off the committees and now they’re targeting me saying I’m not turning up enough.”

At the October meeting, Cr Bruins raised the issue saying he was unsure if Cr Amoroso realised her non-attendance could have her removed from office and a casual vacancy created.

Rather than immediately triggering the clause he recommended seeking an explanation from the councillor.

Mayor Lynette Martin raised concerns about Cr Amoroso’s health and its impact on her ability to fulfil her responsibilities to the community.

On top medical reasons, Cr Amoroso, who has children and grandchildren in Victoria, said border restrictions and public heath orders had at times made it impossible to attend the council office but she had always sent an apology where possible.

“At all times I have been available via the phone and or video link to the council and have requested this several times only to be denied,” she said.

The report showed councillors Amoroso, Steven Perryman, Ben Hood and Frank Morello had each offered apology being absent from one ordinary meeting in 2021.

Mount Gambier Council councillors. Picture: Louise Agnew Photography

Of 23 designated information gathering Crs Perryman and Amoroso were absent from 14 – without an apology on six and one occasions respectively.

While 10 apologies were recorded from Deputy Mayor Christian Greco, eight for Cr Hood, six for Cr Paul Jenner, three for Mayor Martin, Cr Morello and Cr Sonya Mezinec, and two for Cr Bruins.

From six special meetings Crs Greco and Hood had missed one, Cr Mezinec two, Cr Amoroso three and Cr Perryman four – one without an apology recorded.

Apologies were also reported across all committees and the CEO selection panel.