Parker Continues to seek Transparency in Bankstown Local Government
Thursday 19 September 2002

Clr. Parker will be placing two Notices of Motions at Tuesday night's Ordinary Meeting of Council (24 September) 2002 which will attempt to make the running of Bankstown City Council more transparent.

Councillor Parker's first motion refers to his previous four unsuccessful attempts in the past to have the total cost from the many sub-accounts of Councillor's and Senior Staff Member's Trips and other expenses made public.

"The Labor Party refused to support these motions - but more alarming is that they will not even give a reason for it! It is just a contempt for the Community." Clr. Parker said. "I wonder how the many True Believers - Labor Party Faithful in this district, who turn out and vote Labor in every tier of Government at every election would feel if the extent of the Gravy Train was made public."

"The motion of Tuesday will ask that the General Manager seek advice from the Minister for Local Government as to the Council's reluctance to resolve to make the information regarding trips and other expenses made public."

In a second motion, Clr. Parker will seek to discover what the total cost of The Paul Keating Park was to build; and the capital and running costs year to year since then.

"It is time, that the Community knew how much their Councillors and Senior staff members cost them; and how much the grandstanding of the local Labor Party has cost and costs in terms of The Paul Keating Park."

Clr. Parker believes that the figures for the park follow a similar trend to Councillor and Senior staff member's overseas trips and expenses - that is many sub-accounts - but no central total.

An ALP source close to the Parker camp has revealed that senior ALP figures are concerned that the Councillors will not come clean on the issue of overseas trips and all other expenses, and that some of the heat could harm them in State and Federal Elections.

Contact Max Parker