Vol. 18 18 No. No. 45 27 Vol.
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Wednesday, January Wednesday, May 13, 18, 2016 2016
EDUCATION WEEK: Ss Michael and John’s Primary School in Horsham is now an accredited eSmart school. The eSmart schools framework is designed to help schools improve cybersafety and reduce cyberbullying and bullying. The behaviour-change program has been adopted in more than 2200 schools across Australia. Students Brady Mann and Riley Haul use online resources to research their projects abiding by the school’s eSmart rules. • Education Week feature, pages 25 to 31.
‘A sad reflection’ A
BY SARAH SCULLY
Horsham Rural City councillor who reluctantly signed a mandatory State Government document on Monday has labelled it ‘a sad reflection on society’. Several Horsham councillors remarked they felt forced to adopt a revised Councillor Code of Conduct in order to comply with the Local Government Act. Cr Mark Radford said while it was important to comply with legislation, it was a shame the government considered it necessary. “Wind the clock back 20 years and there wasn’t a need for such a thing,”
he said. “It’s a sad reflection, not just of council but of society in general, that we have such a lengthy document to govern the way council works. “Reading through it, some of the things we are supposed to do sound unrealistic, but we have to do them. It’s all in the legislation.” Horsham councillors agreed to a code of conduct at the start of their four-year term. Recent amendments to the Local Government Act have made it mandatory for councils to establish procedures to deal with alleged breaches and enable conduct panels to suspend councillors for six months in instances of serious misconduct.
IN THIS ISSUE
Cr David Grimble said he seriously considered refusing to sign the revised document. “When I read the code of conduct, I thought it was very onerous and very hygienic,” he said. “If you were a budding councillor and read what they have scripted for us to be involved in, you’d think, ‘why would you bother?’ “I’ve got 10 meetings left. I thought about what would happen if I didn’t sign it. The State Government might say it’s close to the end of my term and let me run my course. “But the risk is, they might stamp the letter of the law, and I have a responsibility to represent my community until the end of my term.”
Cr Tony Phelan said although he would sign the document, he was not happy about it. “It is fair and reasonable that the community expects councillors to relate to each other and respect the process,” he said. “But it is frustrating to me that this additional code of conduct emerges in our term and is imposed on us by an external government body. “It reminds me of being back at school, being at a very low level and being told what to do – and I don’t particularly think I need to be told what to do and how to respect the people around me.” Cr Pam Clarke said it was disap-
pointing a few rotten apples could spoil the whole barrel. “I think a lot of this comes from very bad experiences in only a couple of councils in Victoria, but we all have to pay the price for what has happened,” she said. “It is a real shame.” Cr Sue Exell said she was happy to sign the document to ensure compliance with the Local Government Act. “While it does seem to be overkill, we’re pretty fortunate at the moment that things do tick along with our council,” she said. “But I suppose you never know. Things don’t always go the way you want them to.”
• Health Minister visits • GoAuto guide • Interleague previews
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