Round 2: Resident and councillor debate referendum on how we elect a mayor

Susanna Freymark

In the story about the Kyogle referendum on whether to have a popularly elected mayor or one elected by councillors, resident Graeme Gibson and councillor Tom Cooper gave their opinions.

Read what they said here.

Mr Gibson asked to keep the conversation going and has provided a rebuttal to Mr Cooper’s opinion. IndyNR.com then asked Mr Cooper for his rebuttal

Here’s what they said.

The Yes case offers a rebuttal to the No case

Firstly, as to your claim that a direct (or popularly) elected mayor leads to party politics, where is the evidence? While many candidates will stand as Independents they may be members or supporters of political parties and receive informal support from that party and its members. This, I believe, is widespread.

Also, I don’t see the recent Liberal Party’s mal administration of the election nomination process as being relevant.

Secondly, a Yes vote will lead to the abolition of C Ward. But I don’t see how this will necessarily lead to less representation for those west of the range. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Thirdly, local government is created by and very much controlled by state government. This has nothing at all to do with the Westminster system. I strongly stand by my belief that the local level has the potential to reinvigorate support for democracy and the institutions of society.

Can I also say to those candidates who have expressed ambivalence about the referendum, when you vote, you get to vote Yes or No. Ambivalent is not an option. Why not tell us how you will vote?

Graeme Gibson, Kyogle

The No case responds

I agree with Mr Gibson about the State Government having control – that is the case for a popularly elected mayor and for one elected by councillors.

With regard to a popularly elected mayor leading to more party politics, the evidence is there in the 143 candidates from the Liberal party that missed out. Guess the same number for Labor, about 100 for Greens – that’s about 400 candidates who will tow the party line. I don’t want to see that happen because the decisions councillors make should be good for the LGA.

We don’t have Liberal party potholes, we don’t have Labor potholes, we don’t have Greens potholes.

About Ward C – because of the geography of C Ward, it is mainly on the Clarence Way. A and B wards are in the Richmond River catchment. The environmental problems are uniquely different in Ward C.

Because the electorate will be split down the middle of Kyogle (if the referendum gets a Yes) the population will be centered around Kyogle (town).

It’s hard for the Clarence Valley catchment to be elected purely on numbers/population. With climate change, we will see more and more environmental problems such as blue-green algae in dry times and creek and river erosion in wetter times.

The funding methods for each of these rivers is uniquely different (some of the funding for Richmond River comes from the council).

With the feedback I’ve had I wouldn’t be surprised with a 90% No across the whole shire.

Tom Cooper, Bonalbo

Read more Kyogle Council election stories here.

Below is what the ballot paper for the referendum will look like. Tick the Yes or No box.