Alcohol banned from Moonee Valley Council meetings so decisions not impaired

Alcohol paid for by ratepayers and supplied before council meetings has been taken off the agenda to stop councillors and council staff making “impaired” decisions about the fate of Moonee Valley. But not everyone is pleased.

An alcohol ban at Moonee Valley council meetings came into immediate effect this week.

A booze ban to stop councillors from spending ratepayers money on wine before making million-dollar decisions has come into immediate effect.

Councillor Cam Nation moved a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting to make all future council meetings alcohol-free.

The ban came into immediate effect and meant councillors and staff were no longer served three bottles of wine before or during council meetings.

“It’s 2019, I think we need to be a lot more conscious about not just what we say but what we do,” Cr Nation said.

“This is not best practice, it is not in line with community standards, and quite simply, pardon the pun, does not pass the pub test.”

Cr Cam Nation successfully moved a booze ban motion on Tuesday night.

Cr Nation said councillors were making “major decisions for more than 100,000 residents” and it was “crucial” councillors and staff were not “impaired”.

IS IT OKAY TO HAVE A DRINK, OR IS A BOOZE BAN THE RIGHT CALL? TELL US BELOW.

He said it was also “completely unreasonable” for ratepayers to be paying for the alcohol.

Councillor Rebecca Gauci-Maurici said three bottles were certainly not drunk at every meeting.

“There’s a bottle of 2016 Chardonnay that has been sitting in hat bucket for so long the label is wearing off,” she said.

Councillor Nicole Marshall said drinking was not an issue at the council but she supported the motion.

MORE: MELBOURNE’S TOP 10 FISH AND CHIPS REVEALED

YOUR GUIDE TO THE 2019 ROYAL MELBOURNE SHOW

HOW A DISABILITY MADE THIS WOMAN A WORLD-RECORD HOLDER

“Let’s not make it an issue for future councils,” Cr Marshall said.

Deputy mayor John Sipek pointed out he was drinking tea before he asked Cr Nation if the council should start breath testing councillors before a meeting.

“I don't think I’ve ever seen anyone in this council consume more than two glasses at absolute maximum,” he said.

Cr Cusack appeared outraged at the motion and said he didn’t support the amendment “at all” and that decisions should be made with “good preparation” before the meeting.

“I don't think our community expects a standard where you can’t enjoy dinner and have a glass of wine with it,” he said.

The motion was passed 5:8 with mayor Narelle Sharpe, deputy mayor John Sipek, and councillor Jim Cusack voting against the ban.