BEING A COUNCILLOR WORTH THE STRESSES AND STRAINS

Cr Gary Baildon reflects on his 18-year stint in local government as it draws to a close.

IN March 2020 I will draw the curtain on an 18-year local government political career. During that time it was my great privilege to serve three terms as mayor of the Gold Coast.

There have been many difficult decisions over that period as the Gold Coast has grown so quickly from the small seaside town I grew up in to Australia’s sixth-largest city. Many of those decisions have drawn criticism and there is nothing wrong with that. We are fortunate to live in a country where freedom of political expression is the right of all citizens.

I welcome the views of passionate Gold Coasters on a range of issues that affect their daily lives and their futures.

I feel compelled to comment though on the recent findings from the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) clearing council, its staff and councillors, of any corruption. The investigation has gone on for almost 18 months and as I understand it, has included a forensic analysis of many council decisions and processes as well as interviews with councillors and staff. It has taken a toll on councillors, staff and their families and cost ratepayers and the Queensland taxpayer a significant amount of money.

Ultimately, whilst we await the CCC’s final report, it would seem that a number of complainants have combined decisions of council they didn’t agree with into allegations of corruption. The CCC said this themselves in relation to the borrow pit (Black Swan Lake) and the Waterglow development.

I think there is a lesson in that for the accusers and those who too readily accepted their complaints as fact. Decisions you don’t agree with are not, of themselves, evidence of corruption.

It is often said that politics is a contest of ideas.

Of course there are people who disagree with the council’s decisions on the borrow pit, the sale of Bruce Bishop car park, the extension of the light rail, the possibility of a cruise ship terminal etc. I led the charge in council, along with Cr Crichlow, against the sale of Bruce Bishop car park. In the end I have had to accept the democratic decision of council.

The number of statutory bodies involved in the oversight of local government has increased significantly over my political career. We have the Department of Local Government, the Crime and Corruption Commission, the Queensland Audit Office, Queensland Ombudsman, Energy and Water Ombudsman and the Office of the Independent Assessor.

I respect their role in the local government process and support them carrying out their responsibilities independently and thoroughly. I accept that Queenslanders expect these bodies to investigate complaints.

I firmly believe those who have made the accusations to these bodies should be pausing to consider the financial and emotional cost of their actions.

I can imagine there are a number of councillors or would-be councillors who would now be seriously questioning whether a local government political career is worth it. That is a terrible shame because local government needs intelligent, committed people who want to do something positive. I hope those people who want to contribute as a councillor can put this recent chapter aside and have a go.

While there have been ups and downs in my 18 years, the people I have met and worked with and the achievements I have seen and been part of will always mean it was worthwhile.