The definition used by Sam Aziz to define “secrecy” is really artificially narrow.
Casey Mayor Sam Aziz states that he stands by the high number of closed meeting decisions made by his council (Shrouded In Secrecy, Berwick News, 10 December 2015).
The fact is, Cr Aziz, that secrecy compromises transparency and accountability in local government.
The mayor and council have gone well beyond commercial in confidence contracts and issues about suicide.
Council’s secrecy also includes the mayor, councillors and senior staff failing to provide ratepayers with answers to questions about budgeting and finance.
I’ve asked for a meeting with the mayor to discuss Casey’s finances, I’ve made a written request to Casey’s manager of legal affairs to be informed about Casey’s present revenue receipts and cash available for investment and I’ve made a request to see council’s report on the “benefits” of another ratepayer-funded council trip to China.
To date all requests have been totally ignored.
John Glazebrook,
Endeavour Hills.
