Council squares up to MP

Southern Downs Regional Council has slammed local member James Lister over what it calls a 'lack of respect'.

Southern Downs Regional Council mayor Tracy Dobie has taken aim at Member for Southern Downs James Lister. Picture: Samantha Bennett

SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council has slammed local member James Lister.

Mayor Tracy Dobie's comments came from out of the blue earlier today, releasing a letter to the editor in which she questioned the Member for Southern Downs' "ill-informed commentary” and "lack of respect”.

"Since his election to State Parliament, Mr Lister has refused to meet with council despite its requests and invitations,” Cr Dobie said.

"His rebuff of all approaches by councillors to work amicably with him has left council no choice but to publicly call on the State Member to desist from crossing the line between State and Local Government in an attempt to manipulate local government outcomes.

"He refuses to communicate with this council, choosing instead to use the local media, social media and public statements regularly denigrating the mayor, councillors and council staff with constant criticism.

"Mr Lister uses his position as a Member of State Parliament to make ill-informed commentary, showing a lack of respect for the local level of government in our region where councillors are elected independently by the community, free of party politics. "The undersigned invite the Member for the Southern Downs to put to one side any political or personal agenda and work alongside council for the good of all residents of the whole of the Southern Downs,” Cr Dobie said.

Mr Lister said the council's comments were unfounded.

"The council's press statement today is unfortunate but there's too much other stuff going on today than to waste time arguing with other politicians,” he said. "There is one thing that I will say. The suggestion that I have refused to meet them is untrue.

"I have met the mayor and councillors many times, in my office, in the mayor's office and at council offices. There have been five formal meetings of this kind since January 2018, and many more informal ones as we run into each other around the place. "The mayor and I are also due to meet in my office on April 16 and June 19, and this has been in both of our diaries for months.

"I have not refused to meet with the council. I have asked that any meetings I have with the whole council occur in an open statutory meeting, not behind closed doors, but the council has refused. I believe that council business ought to be out in the open.

"It's my job to represent anyone who wants my help, and if representing people upsets other politicians, then I can live with that,” he said.