Mornington Peninsula councillors reject move to reveal what they talk about in briefings
A Melbourne council has decided that revealing details about “secret meetings” will create “fear and anxiety” in the community, and should be kept from “local journalists”.
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A Melbourne council thinks too much information is “dangerous” for the community and has rejected a push to reveal more details about “secret meetings”.
Mornington Peninsula council on Tuesday voted down a move to share summaries briefings and workshops with the public.
Councillor David Gill proposed the council publish more detail about what was discussed behind closed doors at regular briefings and workshops for councillors ahead of council meetings.
“How can you be a councillor representing the community but don’t tell them what we’re talking about?” he said.
Mr Gill said if he had his way the public would be invited to briefings and the sessions would be televised.
However, his fellow councillors baulked at the suggestion.
“There’s that expression a little bit of information is dangerous,” Cr Sarah Race said.
She feared how the information would be interpreted by the media.
“I’m also wary of what this might do in the hands of our local journalists,” Ms Race said.
Councillor Despi O’Connor said providing a summary of briefing discussions would create “fear and anxiety” in the community.
“Putting up a summary is not always going to be clear what the (discussion) paper is about,” she said.
Ms O’Connor said the topics discussed at briefings were already included in council agendas along with the names of those attending.
Fellow councillor Antonella Celi was against giving council staff extra “admin”.
“There’s really nothing to hide in the briefings that we have because they all come to a council meeting anyway,” she said.
“If the community is interested they can have a look at the agenda, they can have a look at the minutes, they can email a councillor find out what was that briefing all about.”
Mr Gill was disappointed with the response to his request.
He said the word “mushrooms” came to mind while listening to the debate.
“This is about being inclusive, bringing our community with us when we’re discussing things,” Mr Gill said.
“If you can’t put a summary of what you’re discussing, it’s definitely secret.”
Council Watch spokesman Dean Hurlston said the move would have been a positive step towards improving the council’s standing with the community.
“If Mornington Peninsula Shire wants to win back the trust of the community, this would be a great thing to do to bring the community towards councillors and the executive,” he said.
The motion was lost by five votes to four after councillors Antonella Celi, Lisa Dixon, Despi O’Connor, Steve Holland, and Sarah Race voted against the idea.
Councillors Susan Bissinger, Kate Roper and Simon Brooks were in favour of Mr Gill’s suggestion.
Councillor Anthony Marsh did not attend the meeting.
