When the "Big Issues" Distract from the Basics of Democracy
A missed opportunity in the chamber
Last night’s Council meeting carried the weight of expectation. All eyes were on the looming CEO announcement — a once-in-a-decade appointment that will shape Shoalhaven’s direction. Understandably, that debate dominated the room, as Cr Jemma Tribe acknowledged in her candid response: the CEO matter “sucked a lot of oxygen out of the room” .
But while attention was consumed by the headline issue, another matter — small in the order of business but significant for over 300 residents — slipped by without challenge.
The petition that vanished
Earlier this year, residents lodged a petition calling on Council to review the Mayor’s travel allowances. It was valid, lawful, and lodged in good faith. Yet Cr Denise Kemp moved to strike it out, with staff later confirming the petition had been lawfully received .
The removal was, in plain terms, anti-democratic. More than 300 residents had engaged with the Council process, only to see their voices pushed aside. That deserved attention — not silence.
Responses from councillors
When I raised this in emails after the meeting, the responses from non-SIG councillors were honest but troubling:
Cr Tribe admitted disappointment in herself for not speaking up, but explained the CEO issue overshadowed everything.
Cr Ben Krikstolaitis said he thought the staff report was supportive of the petition and was open to criticism if residents felt let down.
Cr Boyd acknowledged she had intended to raise the issue and seek an apology from the Mayor and Cr Kemp but failed to follow through. She explained that the Mayor had altered the usual meeting process, requiring councillors to pre-nominate items for discussion by email, and in the pressure of a fraught meeting overshadowed by the CEO appointment, they mistakenly omitted the petition matter. In their own words, this was “inexcusable” and offered a sincere apology, stressing it was not an excuse but an explanation.
All replies reflect good faith. But the reality remains: the councillors who were not part of the SIG bloc allowed a critical issue of democratic process to go unchallenged .
Gentle reminder, firm point
Non-SIG councillors are vital to maintaining balance in Shoalhaven.
They rightly focus on big-ticket issues — CEO appointments, budgets, and strategic planning — but democracy doesn’t only live in the marquee debates. It lives in the treatment of petitions, in the everyday respect shown to residents who take the time to engage.
When councillors sit silent on procedural matters, especially when residents’ rights are at stake, they send an unintentional message: that small injustices can be overlooked if bigger issues are in play. That is not good enough. The non-SIG councillors let down 300 residents who signed that petition, to have it removed by the mentally challenged Kemp.
The responsibility ahead
This is not about criticising individuals harshly. It is about urging vigilance.
Non-SIG councillors must keep their eyes on all the issues — large and small. If they do not, they risk letting the SIG majority dictate not just the outcomes of major votes but the very culture of Council.
Democracy requires attention to detail. The next time 300 residents put their names to a petition, they should be confident their effort won’t be brushed aside without defence.
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Disclaimer: This article provides analysis and commentary based on publicly available information and council transcripts. It does not make allegations of misconduct by any individual. Readers should verify details independently before drawing conclusions.
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