Opinion: Is there any ulterior motive for why we are being denied information?

“We, on request, can access any politicians salary in Australia including that of our Prime Minister, yet we are denied our local government’s information.”

A post on Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Jack Dempsey's facebook page.

I was under the impression that I lived in Australia, Bundaberg precisely.

I was also under the impression that our country was democratic in every way.

It would appear that I have been living in Bundaberg‘s version of Disneyland where dreams and information flowed freely and that was true for me, until, we voted in our current Mayor Jack Dempsey.

Our Mayor has discovered social media where he has childishly nicknamed himself “Jack Hammer ” and to prove to us all that hammers are tough and we are just nails to him, has refused to disclose after numerous requests what we are paying in terms of salary, including entitlements to our CEO Steve Johnston.

Why would the Hammer refuse us rate payers that information? Is there an ulterior motive?

If not it sure looks like it. Not a good look Hammer.

We, on request, can access any politicians salary in Australia including that of our Prime Minister, yet we are denied our local governments information.

As rate payers we are paying this man’s salary, but according to Hammer we don’t need to know so it remains a top secret.

It also makes one wonder what else we are being denied?

Why is it that our Local Government Ministry condones this by allowing it to manifest itself within its rules?

The motive seems to be that we are nobodies in their estimates of our worth even though we pick up the financial tab.

The entire situation borders on totalitarian rule which is not what Australia’s democracy is all about maybe, just maybe there is more freedom under socialism.

So come on Hammer, wake up to yourself and show respect to us ratepayers by releasing requested information.

The same message goes to our invisible and mute councillors.

You were elected to your position by constituents in your division so get on with our requirements and take the Dempsey/Johnston show back to where it belongs or suffer the consequences of bad publicity in your election campaigns where your secrecy in this matter will be at the forefront of the bad publicity.

Charles Brown, Burnett Downs

• Read Council's response here