COMMENT
By Geelong Indy senior journalist John Van Klaveren
Selfishness is killing Geelong.
Self-interest has well and truly won the day with the proposed sacking of Geelong’s democratically elected council and directly elected mayor.
And, as usual, it is all done under the guise of having Geelong’s long-term interests at heart.
Yes there was division on council. Yes there were councillors who threw their weight around and some who tried to use their position to achieve their own ends.
But that’s politics all over. State and federal governments suffer from exactly the same problems.
If the council deserved to be sacked, why was it not after our first directly elected mayor, Keith Fagg, claimed he was harried from office by a dysfunctional and divided council?
Why wasn’t the council sacked in 2007 after two councillors faced criminal charges?
Why weren’t previous councils sacked for being dysfunctional and divided, when councillors openly attacked each other through the media?
It’s more than coincidence that being rid of council – and particularly its colourful Liberal-leaning mayor – suits the Andrews Labor government down to the ground.
Self-interest masquerading as the good of Geelong.
Cr Lyons has toyed with the idea of standing for the federal seat of Corio.
Here’s a thought: if Darryn Lyons really wants to make a difference for the city he should consider standing for the state seat of Geelong.
It might not be as big a stage but it’s certainly closer to the grassroots of the city and he would have the opportunity to get more done for Geelong than even as mayor.
Imagine Darryn Lyons as an independent holding the balance of power in a tight lower house. Now that would be sight for sore eyes.
From the region being on the lips of people all over the world, we now face screaming banner headlines telling the world we are a pack of bullies deserving to be cast into the political abyss.
The final nail in the coffin is the denial of any vote for more than four years, with the installation of an administrator during that time.
Geelong will effectively have two CEOs – when was the last time anyone saw that work well?
