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Transparency push rejected

Posted on August 5, 2008, 7:07am

Employees and staff of the Limestone Coast Regional Development Board will not be required to fill out a register of interest, or declare “real or potential conflicts of interest”, similar to councils.

A push for development board “transparency and accountability” was rejected by Mount Gambier City, Grant, Wattle Range, Kingston and Tatiara councils during a South East Local Government Association (SELGA) meeting on Friday.

The same five of seven SELGA councils rejected a further call for board employees and members to sign statutory declarations, detailing all instances of gaining any public funds during their time with the board.

Also rejected by the five councils, but supported by Robe and Naracoorte Lucindale, was a request for details of public funding sought and received by employees and board members.

Similarly, a call for the development board to provide “detailed transparent reports” regarding key performance indicators was supported by Naracoorte Lucindale, but rejected by most other councils.

Proposed changes to the development board’s constitution enabling target teams to no longer be required to keep meeting minutes or “keep proper financial records” was also challenged.

Robe Mayor William Peden asked SELGA to “strongly oppose” the development board’s proposal to change its constitution, claiming it was “totally at odds with all expectations of public accountability and is utterly unacceptable”.

As in all Robe’s previous calls for accountability, Naracoorte Lucindale supported the push by seconding the motion.

Association president Steve Perryman then called on development board chairman Dale Baker to respond to each of Robe’s motions.

Following the first motion, Mr Baker delivered an overview of the development board and said members were volunteers.

“I think you would find it impossible to get people to sit on the board if they come from the natural resources committee or the farmers’ federation, if they have to give a declaration of interest,” Mr Baker said.

“We don’t think this motion in any way is required.”

The Limestone Coast Regional Development Board is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.

CHRIS OLDFIELD

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