Well, who da thunk it? "Local councils are highly vulnerable to corruption".
Academics and assorted experts have been telling us that for years, council watchers have been pointing it out for just as long here in the Northen Rivers.
I mean, when local government elections bring forth councillors with development agendas, higher political office as the end goal, those who quickly forget they were elected not anointed and a state government which never really gives a damn as long as the fraud or political skulduggery doesn't make it into the city papers, what can we expect?
On the make, on the fiddle, on the nose - that's local government's reputation in New South Wales.
No wonder one bloke got up at the McDonald's DA site inspection in Yamba and said he smelled a fix.
He reckons he was told Maccas had the official nod when he was thousands of miles away holidaying in Ol' Blighty. Let's hope he's wrong!
The Independent Commission Against Corruption has just released its April 2010 report which can be found here.
This report found that 77% of the councils studied rated "development applications/rezoning/environmental planning" and 38% rate "failure to disclose/abuse of a conflict of interest" as two of their major corruption risks.
"Corrupt conduct is deliberate or intentional wrongdoing, not negligence or a mistake.
While it can take many forms, corrupt conduct occurs when:
- a public official uses, or tries to use, the knowledge, power or resources of their position for personal gain or the advantage of others
- a public official acts dishonestly or unfairly, or breaches public trust
- a member of the public influences, or tries to influence, a public official to use his or her position in a way that is dishonest, biased or breaches public trust."
3 comments:
It's not surprising, is it?
Remembering to be careful with my words here...
I recently moved to the Coffs Coast and lots of the people I've met since being here have suggested that they believe corruption to be an issue up here.
What's more amazing, is the way people seem to say this with a resigned acceptance - like there is nothing they can do about it.
To follow up with cdbragg, I also live on the Coffs Coast and have to be careful with my words. If you have any suggestions as to what to do about this perceived corruption, please enlighten us. So far all efforts have been to no avail.
Anonymous,
If you suspect something improper concerning a council action or decision ask to see all documents, correspondance, memos and attachments to any file concerning the matter.
If this request is refused, submit a formal Freedom of Information request.
If after this you still believe the matter is unlawful or otherwise improper make a formal written complaint adressed to the head of the NSW Dept of Local Government and, if appropriate, also to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and/or the Local Government Pecuniary Interest and Disciplinary Tribunal.
Support your formal complaint with copies of any documents you have in your possession and affidavits if possible.
Then sit back and wait for a result.
It is notoriously difficult to hold local government accountable for its actions, but it does sometimes happen if residents and ratepayers are persistent.
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