Image of Cr Crawford sourced from the City of Port Phillip's website.

Publisher Port Phillip Matters received the following statement from former mayor, Cr Louise Crawford in response to Dean Hurlston’s article in PPM “Why Council Officers Need and Deserve More Scrutiny”. Dean is the President of Ratepayers Victoria, Inc. Cr Crawford and Dean Hurlston have completely opposed views on the role of a Councillor and the performance of local government. 

Cr Crawford said “So disappointing to see misleading articles being posted about council officers. Many of the statements and assertions made are baseless or not evidenced. There are many many good people who care about their community who work at councils ( and also live in the local area) despite the inappropriate and false aspersions made by some members of the community. In the end though, Councillors make the decisions so pretend otherwise is to demean Councillors' abilities and intelligence. And heavens above, a code of conduct so that councillors speak respectfully to officers and vice versa - just as you would expect in any modern workplace and as a way of ensuring the safety of any employee - what will they suggest next? Maybe it’s time to instead acknowledge the hard work of officers and councillors who are always looking to listen, consult, innovate, improve. I don't know anyone who likes being constantly bagged for just doing their job so perhaps we need to remember that we are all just people doing our best and kind constructive conversations go along way rather than just flinging unsubstantiated and misleading accusations”.  

Dean Hurlston said in response to Cr Crawford’s statement “I disagree wholeheartedly. The evidence is clear from the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) and the Ombudsman that Council officers' work is frequently inaccurate and based on little evidence. Council officers do not receive public scrutiny and are easily influenced by those with an agenda, sometimes including Councillors. Many councils are bloated with staff that do little for the community. The current model for councils appears to be 'consult little’. When a rare community consultation does occur, and the outcome does not agree with Council officers' views, the final recommendation to Councillors most often supports the officer’s recommendation, not the community’s.

For a Councillor to suggest this is not happening is proof that they are part of the problem. The role of a Councillor is to represent the community, not to simply agree with council staff. The job entails challenging council officers, assessing the evidence presented, and consulting extensively with community members to ensure decisions are best for the local community. Instead, what we have is a broken system, where Councillors think that asking hard questions of Council officers on hundreds of thousands a year is disrespectful. I put it to Councillor Crawford that not only is this not disrespectful, it’s actually your job. Perhaps, if the community (those who elected you and those who didn’t vote for you but you are still meant to represent) saw good outcomes (ones that didn’t always diminish the rights of residents and businesses) then Council might receive the appreciation and respect for the role they perform.

Far too many council officers actually do little. I have spoken to many Council whistle blowers in Victoria and they all say the same thing. Officers have meetings for meeting sake, develop policy with little evidence, and then produce recommendations they know will not be challenged by Councillors and almost always push the recommendations though Council chambers.

Public servants should be questioned. They are paid with public money and the public, via their Councillor representatives, deserve to know the truth, have good governance, and have community-minded decisions, for which they pay a pretty penny. Officers do not have the right to perform poorly, prosecute their own agendas, or ignore the community all while being handsomely remunerated. We need an apolitical professional public service, with state wide standards of performance and public accountability.

If you don’t believe that then perhaps you shouldn’t be a Councillor.”