The association was somewhat surprised to be contacted by ABC Radio South East last week, seeking its opinion as to whether Cr Kristy McBain, the new Member for Eden-Monaro, should resign from her position as a councillor.
The association thinks that few
Australians would consider
the role of a federal Member of Parliament as being less than a fulltime job. While
Parliament is in session for only part of each year, its
Members also have substantial responsibilities as representatives of both their constituencies & political parties.
And while it might come as a shock to many residents & ratepayers,
in its submission to the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal in January of last year (see page 9), the
NSW Local Government Association (LGA) highlighted the increasing complexity of the role of
Councillor &
Mayor, as well as the significant amount of time allegedly required to meet their responsibilities (an average of 44.85 hours per week for regional rural councillors), more than double the time commitment required 15 years ago.
The association believes that had the NSW Government not arbitrarily decided to cancel next month’s council elections (allegedly in response to the Covid 2019 pandemic), it is highly likely that Cr McBain would not only have resigned her position as Mayor coincidental to announcing her candidacy for the Labor Party in the Eden-Monaro by-election, but also her role as councillor.
The association also believes that residents & ratepayers are more than smart enough to work out that Cr McBain could not do justice to both roles & had she elected to only resign as Mayor ahead of the by-election, many would have viewed her principle motive as being to retain her place on council in the event that her bid for Eden-Monaro failed.
Like a good many in the Bega Valley, the association believes that the primary reason the former “independent” Mayor, now “Labor Party Member“, has not resigned from council is her likely wish to shore-up control of council by Labor & the Greens ahead of next year’s council election.
So much for representation.
John Richardson
Secretary/Treasurer
Bega Valley Shire Residents & Ratepayers Association
Tel: 0264945669
Email: secretary@begvalleyshireratepayers.asn.au
Website: http://www.begavalleyshireratepayers.asn.au