Invitation declined - Bass Coast council makes a meal out of power play

‘INAPPROPRIATE’ and ‘bizarre’. That’s how the sitting State Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale, described arrangements being put in place by the Bass Coast Shire Council to host an invite-only “Community Leaders and Candidates’ breakfast”, ahead of the next State Election.

Invitations to the candidates’ forum have already gone out but who got one?

“The morning will begin with a breakfast networking session, followed by community and business leaders highlighting topics they call on our candidates to address,” said Mayor Cr Michael Whelan in his invitation preamble.

“You will be given the opportunity to respond to the leaders and I will facilitate the Q&A panel,” he assured candidates.

The event is to be held at the Silverwater Resort, San Remo, on Wednesday, October 12, from 7.30am to 9am, a full three weeks before candidate nominations even open on Wednesday, November 3.

Speaking to the Sentinel-Times this week, Ms Crugnale said she had politely declined the invitation, listing the following reasons:

1. I believe it is entirely inappropriate for local government to be hosting and/or facilitating a state election candidate meet and greet. It would not be something they would offer for candidates in Local Council or Federal elections. 

2. It is also entirely inappropriate for local government to be using ratepayer funds, officer time and resources to host a breakfast of this nature. 

3. A sitting councillor is a candidate.

4. There may still be candidates yet to nominate.

“I will be attending ‘Meet the Candidate’ forums across the electorate of Bass which are open to all members of the community. Should one or a collective of say community organisations, business, tourism and trader associations, or interest groups be inclined to host a similar forum, this will be considered,” Ms Crugnale said.

Ms Crugnale said she has referred the matter to the Office of the Minister for Local Government.

Her comments are in line with a statement this week by the President of the ‘Island Voice’ community group, Peter Paul, also a former Mayor of the Bass Coast Shire Council.

“I’ve got a big problem with it, it’s not their role. It’s not a proper use of ratepayers’ money, for a start, especially as there’s one of their own councillors running in the election.

“If that’s not a conflict of interest, I don’t know what is,” Mr Paul said.

“Traditionally these events are organised by community groups. They’ve never done this before. I don’t know a council that has. It’s a massive overreach.

“I can’t see why they would be putting their toe in the water this time and potentially opening themselves up to criticism.

“Island Voice has already organised a candidates’ forum, at the Phillip Island RSL on Thursday, November 4, which is open to the public, as it should be. Ms Crugnale has already accepted to attend, and I believe the Liberals’ Aaron Brown will also be there.

“We don’t have any political self-interest, beyond giving the opportunity for the community to hear from the candidates, and we’ll provide a summary of what they had to say at the end.

“I don’t like it. It raises more questions than it answers.”

Aaron Brown has noted his concerns to the council as well but is likely to attend the breakfast, with conditions, “as an opportunity to meet more people”.

“My personal belief is that councils shouldn’t be involved in politics and I have concerns about whether it’s a good use of ratepayers’ money,” Mr Brown said.

“I’ve said events of this kind should be open to everyone, but they’ve agreed to provide a list of the people invited and allow the candidates to invite some people as well.

“Under those conditions, I’m likely to attend but it’s not ideal.”

Mr Brown said he would also be attending candidates’ forums and question time events organised by the Bass Coast Ratepayers and Residents Association (Saturday, October 29 2pm-4pm Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club) and Island Voice (Thursday, November 3 at the Phillip Island RSL).

The Nationals’ candidate Brett Tessari said at the weekend that he didn’t have a problem with the shire running an event and will be attending “if it goes ahead”.

The Mayor, Cr Whelan has been contacted for comment.

Other councillors contacted by this newspaper say they knew nothing about the proposed candidates’ breakfast, that it must have been “a captain’s call” by the Mayor.

The only comment so far received from a shire spokesperson is: “We are exploring our options at the moment.”

The council has not responded to a request about the likely cost of the candidates’ breakfast.