General News
29 January, 2024
Anger over council vote
THE only experienced local body nominee for Cairns Regional Council’s division 4 vacancy has slammed the replacement process and described it “a sham”.
Former long-time Mulgrave shire councillor Ross Parisi is now pondering whether to stand in the March 16 election in division 8 after, as expected, the Unity Team-led Cairns Regional Council appointed its candidate for division 4 to fill the vacancy in the seat.
Mr Parisi, was the youngest council member in Queensland when he was elected at the age of 23 and served on the former Mulgrave shire from 1976 until 1994.
The 70-year-old said he had the experience and knowledge to be an effective councillor until the elections.
“The new person has no local government experience,” Mr Parisi said.
He said the council needed someone who had knowledge of the Barron River delta and previous flooding events to help during coming weeks of rebuilding the badly-affected suburbs.
Mr Parisi’s former division included Brinsmead, Freshwater, Stratford, Redlynch, Caravonica, Machans and Holloways beaches and Yorkeys Knob, all the way north to Buchan Point.
Cr Neal was elected at last week’s special council meeting to fill the vacancy created when Cr Terry James was appointed Mayor of Cairns following the resignation of former Mayor Bob Manning.
Unity used its majority to parachute Cr Neal into the role after a previous meeting last month turned to chaos amid confusion over conflicts of interest, meeting adjournments and name calling.
In the end a quorum of five could not be established and the meeting was adjourned until January 18 after the council sought advice from the Local Government Association of Queensland and Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon.
An attempt by Cr Brett Olds (division 9) to nominate Mr Parisi, seconded by Cr Amy Eden, failed when put to the vote. Cr Olds, Eden and Rob Pyne voted for Mr Parisi while Cr Rhonda Coghlan, Cr Max O’Halloran, Cr Kirsty Vallely, and Cr Brett Moller voted against.
Cr Neal was nominated by Cr O’Halloran and seconded by Cr Coghlan.
He was voted in by Crs O’Halloran, Coghlan, Valley and Moller with Cr Olds and Pyne against. Cr Eden did not vote and Cr Cathy Zeiger, who earlier said the process was “flawed and inequitable”, abstained.
Cr Neal attended his first official council meeting last Wednesday.
“I’m pleased we have settled the council team that will serve our residents until the election on March 16, 2024,” Cr James said.
“Following the devasting flooding event last month, as a council we need to be determined and committed to do our absolute best on behalf of the community.
“We also acknowledge the effort made by the other seven people who nominated for the vacant councillor position.
Cr James “acknowledged the twists and turns of the process” he described as “unique”.
