From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 14 February

We must resist the temptation to demonise our politicians. It serves only to weaken our system of government and to encourage the daring of fundamentalists.

DEMOCRACY is neither the ultimate nor necessarily the best form of government, but it is the best of the worst and has served us well. A fragile system, it requires constant protection from the forces of evil which would darken our dawn and deprive our freedoms.

However, there is no question: Australia is one of the most over-governed countries. Our triumvirate is both cumbersome and outdated, and we would, unquestionably, be better served with one less stratum.

If ever you needed supporting evidence, the most recent Ballarat council meeting is proof positive, and was, by any standard of reckoning, a bloody disgrace.

It would not be a quantum leap to suggest that taxpayers are back-teeth grindingly fed-up with the antics; the back-biting; the party-politics; the rampant egos; the determination to build personal tin-pot empires; the apportioning of blame; the besmirching of reputations regardless of veracity; the belligerent lack of cohesiveness; the cavalier attitude to the citizens of the city; the seeming disregard for the job to which they have been elected; the haughtiness; the highhandedness;  the sloppy accounting methods; the disregard for due process; the ugly lack of civility from those who ought know better; the duplicity; and an implacability to see it done their way.

Ballarat is not a fiefdom. The nine councillors – seven of whom were elected by default – are lucky to be in their posts. The COVID pandemic deprived us of informative campaigning, thus leaving voters with no real choice. It was, in several instances, better a case of the devil you know. Why would you vote for someone whom you have never met?

Fame is a parasite which lives in any carcass. It has no regard for talent, or the lack thereof, and, invariably, it moves-on, leaving in its wake a trail of shattered egos.

You could be forgiven for wondering if the prime interest of some Ballarat councilors is not the pursuit of good local governance, but a race for their own celebrity and photo opportunities.

Not since the Second World War has there been a greater need for clear-eyed leadership within the community. These are critically problematic times. People’s lives have been shattered, some irrevocably. Businesses have closed, permanently. Some have been left fiscally bereft as a consequence. What we do not want, or need, is a group of squabbling councilors looking to knock spots off their opposition, and to score childish points of victory.

The council is not a mini parliament. They are not lawmakers, and it is high time they ended the arrant nonsense.

In defence, it should be recognised, the days of part-time councilors running a complex city is an antiquated remnant. If the job is to be done successfully, it requires fulltime and adequately compensated employees. Unfortunately, it would require a change of local government law.

Under the prevailing rancid ethos, it could be argued Ballarat would be better served, and business accomplished in a more satisfactory manner, if the council were to be sacked and administrators appointed, permanently. This three-ringed circus cannot be allowed to continue. Councilors must accept their responsibilities with equanimity. As Queen Mary commented, “This might be Romania!” While she was talking of the 1936 Abdication Crisis, the sentiment is apposite.

Anecdotally, the antipathy and animosity which flows between the City of Ballarat councilors is well known. Under oath, in a court of law, several of them might find it impossible to deny their Machiavellian activities which have contaminated due process, and done little to serve either the people or the city of Ballarat.

Perhaps the Minister for Local Government should consider placing the Ballarat council on-notice. If they cannot achieve a common unity, then they should be dismissed; and sooner rather than later!

Roland can be heard with Brett Macdonald each Monday at 10.45am on 3BA. You can contact him via [email protected].