Ramia takes aim at new system
COUNCILLOR Joe Ramia has taken aim at the recently introduced system of conflict of interest declarations, labelling them an “absolute stupidity” and saying the process was “hindering what council is elected for”.
No less than half an hour of the council’s time was dedicated to sorting out various conflict of interest declarations for Crs Paul Antonio, Geoff McDonald, Chris Tait and Mike Williams at Tuesday’s ordinary council meeting.
The mayor first declared a “perceived conflict of interest” over an item relating to the council creating an interface for its involvement in the Inland Rail project, citing his ownership of a quarry near Millmerran that is “approximately five kilometres from the alignment”.
Cr Antonio is also facing an allegation of misconduct before the Department of Local Government’s Regional Conduct Review Panel over his personal dealings with the Inland Rail project.
He has previously denied any wrongdoing and is defending himself against the allegation.
On Tuesday, he stepped out of the room to let his fellow councillors decide whether he could vote on the item.
An ensuing 10 minute debate and vote returned him to the room to take part in voting.
During the debate, Cr Williams defended Cr Antonio, saying he didn’t believe the mayor had any conflict of interest.
Cr Ramia said the new system of declaring conflict of interests was a joke.
“This is an absolute joke. If this goes on, this means that every shop, every hotel, every outlet in the city that buys a product off (my business), I’ve got to go through this system,” he said.
“And if that’s good local government... I don’t want to be a part of that because it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Next, Crs Tait and McDonald apologised to the council for failing to declare “perceived conflicts of interest” in the matter of the Temporary Toowoomba CBD Development Incentives Policy, discussed at last week’s committee meetings.
Both Crs Tait and McDonald have interests in land in the Toowoomba CBD and excused themselves from the room.
Cr Mike Williams also declared an interest in land in the CBD and likewise removed himself from the chamber.
The CBD incentives scheme was passed by the remaining six councillors unanimously.