Mackay councillors accused of ‘grandstanding’ before next election
A businessman vying to knock mayor Greg Williamson off Mackay’s top job got a front-row seat to a stoush which erupted over a push to set up portfolios based on councillors’ interests or experience. SEE HOW IT WENT DOWN.
Mackay
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Councillors accused each other of “grandstanding” and trying to tell each other how to best do their jobs in a stoush that awkwardly played out in front of a packed public gallery.
The second last ordinary meeting of Mackay Regional Council for the year occurred in front of a crowd which included Steve Jackson, the businessman vying to knock incumbent mayor Greg Williamson off his perch next year.
It all started when a motion was introduced to again link councillors to portfolios or areas of specialisation that “align with such things as experience” and “interest”.
“(It would) provide a clear pathway for resident requests, and enable councillors to have better insight in subject knowledge of a specific and defined area,” the motion put forward by Mr Bella as well as fellow councillors Laurence Bonaventura and Russell Seymour stated.
“(We believe) this is essential in preventing the confusion that has reigned both within and outside (the) council during this term.
“It is also believed it will go some way to preventing ‘councillor shopping’, and mixed messages being given to residents, for whatever reasons by councillors.”
Mr Bella argued the time was ripe for portfolios to happen as they had waited four years with little action to stop the “duplication and waste of resources”.
CEO Scott Owen said he would draft a framework for the proposal but it would only be appropriate for the incoming mayor and councillors to choose whether they would like to have portfolios.
Councillor Michelle Green rejected the motion, arguing it did not reflect her feelings or experience.
“I’ve had purpose, I’ve had direction … and I’ve had no confusion as to what my role is whatsoever,” Ms Green said, adding residents had no issues finding who to contact.
She also asked why her colleagues had waited until the “11th hour” to raise the motion, slamming it as “political grandstanding” ahead of the March 2024 election.
Mr Bella asked her to retract her comment but Mr Williamson replied there was no need for an apology.
Deputy Mayor Karen May also disagreed with the motion, saying in her 20 years of being in local government she had witnessed portfolios fail and they risked councillors “meddling” with council operations.
Ms May argued their job was “first and foremost” to represent residents which included being part of committees and community-based organisations, and it was a “waste” of council resources to prepare a framework.
Councillor Alison Jones, in supporting the motion, said it was an opportunity for councillors to express what had worked well for them, adding she had experienced portfolios without issues.
The motion was passed 5-4.
Voting for the motion were councillors Mr Seymour, Mrs Jones, Mr Bonaventura and Justin Englert.
Voting against were councillors Pauline Townsend, Ms Green and Belinda Hassan.
Councillor Fran Mann was absent from the meeting.
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