Smith line baits Ronald

By Paul Dunlop
BASS MP Ken Smith and Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Ronald have locked horns over efforts to land a fish from the Commonwealth Games.
Mr Smith’s claim (Gazette, 5 April) that the Bass fish would make a great games souvenir for Cardinia residents prompted a sharp reaction from Cr Ronald, who said the Liberal MP should take his rod elsewhere.
Mr Smith had said he believed the Bass should go to the Cardinia Shire to be displayed as a constant reminder of the great games.
The Bass MP said the lake at Lakeside at Pakenham would be an ideal spot for the fish.
Cr Ronald said Cardinia Shire would be seeking a fish but it was targeting the golden arowana, which ties in with its Malaysian association during the games.
“Council is not remotely interested in the bass fish and if we do get a fish the last place we will put it is in Lakeside,” he said.
“This council does not need Ken Smith to determine what it will or won’t be doing,” Cr Ronald said.
“We’ll decide what fish we want and where to put it.”
Cr Ronald said if Cardinia’s bid was successful, the fish would likely be displayed at the environment centre at Emerald Lake Park.
“That’s our preferred fish and our preferred location because of our connection with Malaysia and the very successful games warmup event held at the park,” Cr Ronald said.
Cr Ronald said Mr Smith was simply fishing for publicity. He said Lakeside was not even in the Bass electorate and that the fish would have to be stored indoors because it was not built to last.
But Mr Smith maintained the Bass fish was a good choice.
“It would appear the mayor is obviously bent on having an imported fish rather than an Australian native fish,” he said.
“As both a Victorian and the Opposition spokesman on fishing, I feel strongly that Cardinia Shire should pursue a fish statue which relates to Victoria, after all its full name is the Australian Bass.”
Relations between the council and Mr Smith were strained when the Bass MP called on Cr Ronald to stand down earlier this year while a Local Government investigation into claims of impropriety against him was settled.
Mr Smith’s call prompted a number of councillors to say the Liberal MP should stay out of local government affairs.
Mr Smith said he would not do that, claiming it was the responsibility of State Government to ensure local councils were being conducted in the best interests of residents.
“There is no way that I will butt out as I have a responsibility to my constituents in regard to local government issues,” Mr Smith said.
Casey council is also seeking a fish, most likely the English representative which was a redfin.