My decision to stand up and speak at the March 22 Eurobodalla Shire Council meeting was not to stand with any group.
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The council moving into a confidential meeting to debate an event licence for Narooma Leisure Centre and NATA Oval for the June long weekend, which the South Coast Hunters Club, which runs HuntFest, and the Animal Justice Party had both applied for, meant I could not report on the discussion.
I do not agree or disagree with either party involved. I stood up to argue my right to be able to report, and quote, the debate between councillors on why they voted the way they did on the issue.
Since HuntFest was first given an event licence for the Narooma site, Fairfax Media mastheads along the Far South Coast, Canberra and Sydney have reported on both sides of the argument; those for the event, and those opposed to it.
Not being able to report on the discussion, which was more than likely the last debate within council for seven years, meant the community did not know the reason behind each councillor’s vote.
Considering there is an election a little over five months away, you would think transparency would be at the front of all councillors’ minds.
Legal implications were said to have stopped a public debate on the issue.
During my presentation to council staff, councillors and a packed chamber, I made it clear I did not take a side.
“Since this issue first arose, it has taken hold of our blogs,” I said.
“This should be debated in a public forum so that I can report on the debate. I know the vote will be made public regardless, but I believe the discussion and debate between councillors today is in the public interest and should be in a public forum.”
The decision to stand up and speak against council moving into a confidential meeting was not taken lightly.
I have been reporting on council issues for nearly three years and have never addressed a meeting before. Public speaking is my biggest fear but, in this case, I felt standing with my community was important.
Councillors Liz Innes, Milton Leslight, Neil Burnside, Peter Schwarz and Rob Pollock voted in favour of HuntFest. The decision was opposed by Danielle Brice and Gabi Harding. Mayor Lindsay Brown declared a conflict of interest and did not take part.
– Emily Barton