BY GARY LYSAGHT
Newcastle Council’s Liberal Councillors have been accused of
using obstructive tactics to force a merger between Newcastle and Port Stephens
Council after lodging a motion to block
legal action against the merger and then failing to turn up to meetings to discuss
the motion.
Council has held three extraordinary meetings this week,
with the expectation to discuss the motion to rescind legal action only to be halted by
the absence of those wanting to stop potential legal action.
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| Jason Dunn [Image: Newcastle Herald]. |
“We’re payed an allowance to attend meetings and I don’t
think there’s an excuse for any Councillor, particularly a Councillor that has
actually brought a motion [to not turn up],” said Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn.
“As elected Councillors, that's what we signed up for.”
“I know I’ve turned up to a meeting before to ensure we have
decorum, with an 18 month old child with me, but that’s what you do to make sure
Council can function,” he said.
Liberal Councillor Brad Luke was among those who didn’t
attend any of this week’s meetings and says he had personal commitments that
prevented him from attending.
“Being on Council’s a part-time job, they [Councillors] have
other businesses they’re running and jobs they’re doing and they set their life
schedule around that meeting schedule,” he said.
Luke also suggested that it wasn’t only Liberal members not attending
the extraordinary meetings.
“[Labor] Councillor Tim Crackanthorp has also not been at
any meeting this week,” he said.
Liberal Councillors have been critical of the motion to seek
legal advice on the proposed merger since it was first suggested, saying it’s
unlikely to change anything since the State Government can simply amend anything
wrong with the proposal.
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| Liberal Councillors Brad Luke and Sharon Waterhouse [Image: Newcastle Herald]. |
They've summed it up as a big waste of money.
Jason Dunn has suggested the Councillors critical of the motion should attend the next extraordinary meeting on Thursday, saying they
need to make time for that meeting.
“If they’re too busy with work and other commitments, well
then, they should really consider their position as a Councillor I would think,”
he said.
“It really is a disgraceful situation that these Councillors
who are paid to attend these meetings and represent the community can’t be
bothered turning up.”
Brad Luke has been critical of the whole situation,
suggesting Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is calling extraordinary meetings for no
reason.
“The only time you normally have an extraordinary meeting is
in times of great urgency,” he said.
“This is simply the Lord Mayor wanting to waste money on pursuing
legal action, suing the State Government.”
Luke also accused the Lord Mayor of “playing political games
and carrying on”.
“I think it’s utterly ridiculous the way she is going on
with this,” he said.
