Anyone who had the misfortune to be at this week’s Shoalhaven City Council meeting could be forgiven for thinking they had stumbled upon a schoolyard squabble.
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What was meant to be debate about the council budget descended into a puerile slanging match that raised tempers, wasted time and begged the question: who do our councillors think they are?
We accept being elected to local government might be seen as a stepping stone to greater political things such as state or federal parliament. We accept debate over city matters might at times be robust.
However, we do not accept council is a venue for mudslinging, disrespect or aggression.
Ratepayers expect their elected representatives to convey their issues and concerns in an intelligent and mature fashion and to work together to achieve outcomes for their community.
They do not want council meetings to resemble question time with training wheels. And, frankly, councillors should know most people dislike intensely the conduct of parliamentarians who play to their own egos during question time.
Silly point scoring, glib one-liners, raised voices, constant interjections and heckling do not make for good government and do little to build confidence that local government is working for the interests of ratepayers.
Reasoned argument backed with fact, grace in the face of defeat, collaboration rather than reflexive combativeness – these are qualities we want in our councillors.
Their decisions have the most direct influence on our lives, so we expect our councillors to arrive at them as adults, not as querrellous children.
Sadly, this is not the first time we have called out poor councillor behaviour, nor will it be the last.
Over the years, we have seen councillors toss tomato sauce over each other and veer so out of control police have been called and meetings adjourned.
Tuesday night’s performance was not as bad but was intense enough to have one person in the public gallery brought close to tears and motivate others to contact the Register to complain.
It sets a very poor example and discourages people with potentially much to offer from getting involved in any form of politics.
So, councillors one and all, lift your game or find another playground.