City’s mayor ‘alarm’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
An “independent referendum” should determine whether residents vote for Geelong’s next mayor, councillors have told Victoria’s Local Government Minister.
The councillors also told Jeanette Powell they were “alarmed” candidates could spend unlimited amounts on campaigns to be Geelong’s first directly elected mayor.
Councillors this week backed Cr Cameron Granger’s call to ask Ms Powell for a “comprehensive consultation process” before the referendum.
Council would also seek confirmation its 12-ward structure would remain in place when State Government introduced direct mayoral elections in 2012.
Council wanted consultation that gave residents “more detail as to the process for the election and what the powers of the directly elected mayor should be”.
Council voted for State Government to amend the “limited range of choices” available under its existing consultation process over the mayoral vote.
Councillors also wanted disclosure on who might fund election campaigns.
“The City is alarmed that the consultation process has not addressed the issues of capping campaign expenditure and the reporting of campaign donations.”
Cr Granger said council was concerned about the Government’s consultation process so far.
“Given it’s the biggest change to our structure for 20 years and is likely to have a lasting impact it should be something the Government consults more widely on,” he said.
“At the moment it’s simply being imposed upon us. The Government has said it’s taken the decision to do this and that it won’t be reviewed.
“All they were concerned about (during consultations) was whether the deputy mayor was elected at the same time and whether the mayor was one of the 12 ward councillors.
“The Government needs to stop the process, take a step back and go to a referendum to ask residents whether they want a directly elected mayor and what powers should be included.
“We’ve heard that the directly elected mayor could have the power to hire and fire the CEO and senior executives and that rings huge alarm bells. All councillors should be part of that decision.”
Cr Granger said the issue needed more public debate.
“It’s worrying that there hasn’t been more public discussion so far.”
Submissions to State Government’s directly elected mayor discussion paper close on Monday.