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Wattle Range councillors gagged

Posted on June 16, 2009, 9:09am

Wattle Range Councillors have been gagged from giving statements to the media without prior approval from Mayor Mark Braes or chief executive Frank Brennan.

If a councillor does not comply with this policy, they will have committed a level two breach of council’s code of conduct.

The decision to revise the media policy, adopted two months ago, was made at the monthly council meeting last week by a 7 – 4 vote.

Mr Braes said a review was warranted because Cr Peter Muller had made errors in personal opinion pieces published in the Penola Pennant.

“I believe council needs to review the operation of the media policy as it is not, in my view, working as it should,” Mr Braes said.

“I believe it is critical that written publications in respect of council meetings and decisions are factual, timely and informative.

“We expect that of the press and I believe we should hold ourselves accountable to that standard.”

Cr Viv Reschke moved that media articles be approved in advance by either the mayor or chief executive.

Cr Muller said he had not released any confidential council information in the opinion pieces criticised by Mayor Braes.

Cr McCourt said he did not support Cr Reschke’s motion as it did not achieve the freedom of the press.

After the vote was taken, Cr Muller signalled he might take up the issue with the State Ombudsman.

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Comments

One Response to “Wattle Range councillors gagged”

  1. Concerned in Kalangadoo on June 16th, 2009 10:22 am 1

    We elect councillors to represent ratepayers’ interests, not to parrot the views of the mayor or the CEO. If councillors have opinions that differ, they should be free to air them in the press.