26 May 2011
Mr MORRIS (Mornington) — Last night during the adjournment debate the house was treated to an extraordinary outburst from the member for Geelong. For the first time since the process began he finally had something to say about the direct election of a mayor for that city.
Unfortunately most of what he had to say was inaccurate, ill informed and often both, including selectively and misleadingly quoting the Municipal Association of Victoria. But I am pleased to see he has finally joined the debate, albeit a little bit late and indeed after the period for submissions has passed.
The thrust of the member’s argument, if it can be characterised that way, is that the Minister for Local Government should not proceed with the implementation of a long‑stated and widely supported coalition policy.
I wonder how that fits with the mantra we have heard so often from the Leader of the Opposition that Labor will hold the government to account for all our promises, as it should. Perhaps he is not aware of his leader’s position.
Perhaps he had better things to do last Sunday. Whatever his reason, it clearly puts him at odds with his party. Perhaps the member has had other things on his mind lately and missed the invitation extended to him to meet with myself and officers from Local Government Victoria to discuss the implementation of that policy.
The fact is he had the opportunity to have a direct line into the process, and he refused it. He could have also met with us at any of the many listening posts or at Geelong station at dawn. He could have made a submission or raised the issue in this place. But he chose to do none of these things, and now he is scrambling to appear relevant to the debate.
The people of Geelong will deliver their own verdict on the member, but I know what they are thinking — too little too late.
Legislative Assembly 26 May 2011
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