Democracy on hold

Calls for a Wollongong local government election to be held this year have been labelled ‘preposterous’ by Local Government Minister Paul Lynch.

Debate on the issue is divided but Mr Lynch said last week that, anyone that suggests that an issue of systemic corruption could be resolved within six months is fooling themselves.

“It is preposterous to suggest that you would be able to proceed to an election this September granted the findings of the ICAC,” he said.

Wollongong’s councillors were sacked this month after an Independent Commission Against Corruption investigation diagnosed ‘systemic corruption’.

The government has appointed three administrators to fill their role.

It is expected that Wollongong will not have a chance to elect its own representatives to local government until elections in 2012.

The state Liberal and National Parties, and community group Wollongong Against Corruption have all asked that the state government hold elections before that time.

Wollongong Against Corruption spokesperson Paul Matters said elections should be held in September as planned.

“The most effective way to eliminate corruption is through a democratic choice that people make for their own representation,” he said.

NSW Liberal Leader Barry O’Farrell has called for democracy to be returned to Wollongong City Council by late 2009.

“Eighteen months should be more than enough time to remedy problems in these local government areas,” he said.