By Charlene Gatt
MARIBYRNONG City Council mayor Michelle MacDonald was quick to pull councillors into line at last week’s meeting but failed to heed her own call to order.
The meeting degenerated into a farce during budget speeches when Councillor Janet Rice proposed eight amendments totalling $80,000 be made for a fairer distribution of funding between wards.
Cr Rice missed out on key budget negotiations because of a three-week Global Greens conference in Brazil.
The action started when River Ward’s Councillor Dina Lynch seconded the amendment but fellow Cr Catherine Cumming criticised the call.
“Looking through all these initiatives, they’re wrong, they’re all over the joint. I’m not quite sure if Councillor Rice is trying to be protective, if her facts are wrong or if she is outright lying,” she said.
“Councillor Rice put up seven (sic) initiatives, she’s got here that there’s a zero (dollar amount) next to Saltwater (ward), when three of the initiatives will actually cover everywhere.”
Cr Cumming also pointed out that the Suffolk St triangle was in the Ironbark Ward, not Bluestone Ward as Cr Rice suggested, before directing her anger at Cr Lynch.
“Cr Lynch, you sat through all these budget meetings, you were there and I didn’t hear a peep from you. Tonight, you’re Cr Rice’s lap dog, you’re accepting her budget (amendments).”
“Order! Sit down, Cr Cumming,” Cr MacDonald called.
“Why didn’t you ask for order earlier?” Cr Lynch responded.
Cr Sel Sanli proved equally sarcastic and had a dig at Cr Rice for going overseas while he cancelled his fishing and camping trip to make the meetings.
Cr MacDonald then stood up and prefaced her draft budget comments by saying: “I’m glad Councillor Rice has finally turned up to a budget meeting.”
Cr Cumming clapped in response, one of many digs that continued throughout the meeting.
