Margot Giblin
Are Aldermen Valentine, Ruzicka, Haigh, Sexton, Burnet, Freeman, Zucco, Briscoe, Christie, Hayes and Cocker using due process to protect themselves in the run up to an election or to ensure that democracy functions?
Monday night’s open committee meeting was preceded by a closed council meeting which included on its agenda Leave of Absence, and 20 Fitzroy Place, Hobart (Star St. boarding house).
The closed meeting ran well over its allotted time so the Open Council Meeting kicked off at closer to six than its advertised 5pm start.
Chairman Lord Mayor Rob Valentine noted that there were neither apologies nor Leaves of Absence to be recorded.
Mr Archer was not present and no reference was made to him.
What happens now?
Mr Archer could apply again for leave of absence. The General Manager, Mr Brent Armstrong, has said that there is no time limit to it being granted.
What if Mr Archer doesn’t resign and the council does nothing pro-active to address the issue of a long-term empty, though paid for, seat.
My understanding is that the status quo, with no leave of absence requested, can be maintained only over three consecutive general council meetings.
The council meets fortnightly so three meetings covers six weeks.
Critically, if the present state of affairs is allowed to drag on until within six months of the next election nothing will change until that takes place, at which time Mr Archer’s seat would have been contested anyway. If he is unable to take up his seat before then it would seem unlikely that he would be standing for election.
The third council meeting, the last for which leave of absence would not need to be organized by Mr Archer, falls on Monday 26th February.
How far away from the election is that?
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission states that notices for election for local government elections are expected to be published on Saturday 15th September 2007.
Elections will be conducted for Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and half the councilors/aldermen and casual councilor/alderman vacancies for each of Tasmania’s 29 municipal areas.
Nominations are expected to close at noon on Monday 1 October 07.
The polling period is Tuesday 16 October until 10 am on Tuesday 30 October.
The Governor may postpone or appoint different dates for the conduct of local government elections.
Six months back from the calling of the election is 15 March.
There is only one open council meeting between Monday 26 February and I5 March, but presumably council could arrange any number of special meetings, at any time, closed or otherwise, to address this issue, if it wanted to.
Who would not want to?
Any alderman standing for re-election could regard the seven month run in for a new incumbent as an advantage. It is much harder to shift a sitting councilor than fill an empty space.
Any one considering standing, and anyone on council aligned with her/him might see it the same way.
Anyone who doesn’t like the predictions for who would replace Mr Archer on a count back will prefer the empty chair to swivel.
Are Aldermen Valentine, Ruzicka, Haigh, Sexton, Burnet, Freeman, Zucco, Briscoe, Christie, Hayes and Cocker using due process to protect themselves in the run up to an election or to ensure that democracy functions?
