Call to record all meetings

A DARWIN alderman haunted by a unanimous vote he says he did not vote for has called for council meetings to be recorded, to ensure the mistake does not repeat itself.

Darwin alderman Simon Niblock said that recording meetings would ensure decisions made by elected members could clearly be seen by the public.

“Uploading and storing meetings online allows members of the public to view the meeting at any time, and in particular to view a particular item they are interested in by simply fast-forwarding to that item,” he said.

“The public can clearly see which aldermen argued for or against and how each alderman voted.

“This measure will improve accountability of elected members and transparency of council proceedings.”

Mr Niblock has queried council over a “unanimous vote” in October to postpone the RSL’s proposal for a new clubhouse on the Darwin Esplanade, which he maintains he never voted on.

But council confirmed the minutes at the next meeting, saying it was carried 13-0.

Mr Niblock said recording meetings would also allow easier access for interested residents to follow the meetings and a particular item if they were not able to attend or follow the meeting as it ran.

“This does allow people to watch a meeting from their home, office or indeed anywhere in the world,” he said.

“However if a potential viewer is interested in one item located in the middle of the agenda, the only way they can watch that item is to tune in from the start of the meeting. If they’re otherwise occupied at that time, access is limited.”

If approved, Darwin will join a raft of other Australian cities in recording and making meetings publicly available, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth.