Council approves web of silence

RESIDENTS unable to get to Cardinia Shire Council meetings can no longer stay tuned via the world wide web.
Council announced last week its meetings would no longer be broadcast on the internet.
Concern about the prospect of insurance coverage for any defamation action was said to be behind the decision.
But the move has prompted criticism from some residents who labelled it a betrayal of the new council’s pledge for more open and transparent governance.
Former councillor Leonora Cox wrote a letter to the Gazette this week decrying the decision as a “cop out”.
“The councillors who were going to provide open, transparent meetings accessible to all the ratepayers have scrapped the internet broadcast,” she said.
“So meetings are accessible, but only if you can get up to the office.”
Ms Cox said the decision suggested the council wanted to say whatever they wanted but make sure there was no record of it.
Mayor Bill Ronald conceded the timing of the decision was unfortunate and that it was regrettable.
But Cr Ronald maintained council’s dealings would certainly remain open scrutiny and said all residents were most welcome to attend meetings.
“It’s not exactly the message we want to be sending to the community,” he said.
“However, there’s no doubt councillors have to be careful what they say and our advice was that it was not worth the risk of somebody saying some silly little thing and getting sued for defamation.”
Cr Ronald said the decision was based on legal advice from a major local government insurer that council’s defamation coverage did not include actions brought about via webcasts of meetings.
Cr Ronald said councillors were generally mindful to watch what they said but felt the prospect of legal action as a result of a “flippant” remark was not worth the potential cost.
“It’s unfortunate but this is not something that just relates to Cardinia Shire Council, it is all councils,” he said.
Cardinia was one of only a handful of Victorian municipalities that broadcast its meetings online.
As many as 100 people are believed to have regularly tuned into council meetings on the internet.
Cr Bill Pearson also acknowledged the decision was not ideal for the new council’s vow to further open its dealings up to the community.
Cr Pearson encouraged any residents with concerns to contact he or other councillors, saying there was “no doubt” council remained committed to open governance.