Greens Cr Jonathan Sri scores civic cabinet on manners, transparency
OUTGOING City Planning chairman received a failing grade on an “informal report card” devised by a maverick Greens councillor to rate manners and transparency.
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OUTGOING City Planning chairman Julian Simmonds received a failing grade on an “informal report card” devised by a fellow councillor to rate manners and transparency.
Greens Cr Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) rated every Brisbane City Council civic cabinet member on their performance during the budget information sessions.
The sessions are local government’s version of budget estimates, an opportunity for councillors to ask civic cabinet members for detail on the council’s spending plan.
Cr Sri has dolled out his out-of-ten scores over two days of budget debates, where he lectured councillors on their conduct.
LNP administration councillors howled down and booed the teacher’s pets and cheered on the dunces.
So, who was the dux of Cr Sri’s system?
Deputy Mayor and Public and Active Transport chairman Adrian Schrinner had the highest grade, 8.5 out of 10, for “doing his best” to answer questions on his portfolio.
City Planning chairman Julian Simmonds got the lowest score, just one out of ten, while Lifestyle and Community Services chairman Matthew Bourke scored a two.
“I wanted to remind the committee chairs that they have a democratic responsibility to the citizens of Brisbane to be open and transparent in providing information about their budget programs,” Cr Sri said.
“Politics doesn’t have to be so negative and toxic. Even if we disagree with each other, and fight hard against bad decisions, we should be able to debate policy without descending to vicious personal attacks.”
Cr Simmonds responded: “While opposition councillors spend their time making individual character assessments of councillors, we will get on with delivering for the people of Brisbane”.
Cr Simmonds’ will step down from the planning role tonight as he focuses on his campaign for the federal seat of Ryan.
Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the report card was “mildly entertaining” but the most important indicator of performance was how the budget delivered for Brisbane.
“Once again Cr Sri has demonstrated that he is more focused on seeking attention, rather than participating in a constructive debate about delivering projects for the people of Brisbane,” he said.
“Budget information sessions are an opportunity for all Councillors to ask questions, they are not simply an opportunity for Cr Sri to espouse his views,” he said.
THE FULL REPORT CARD
Cr Sri said the ratings were based on how transparent they were in the information they gave, and how much respect they showed to non-LNP councillors.
Cr Adrian Schrinner 8.5/10
Public and Active Transport Committee
Cr Amanda Cooper 7.5/10
Infrastructure Committee
Cr Peter Matic 7/10
Field Services Committee
Cr David McLachlan 5/10
Parks, Environment and Sustainability
Cr Krista Adams (Not rated)
Finance and Economic Development
Cr Matthew Bourke 2/10
Lifestyle and Community Services
Cr Julian Simmonds 1/10
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