Most of Liverpool's non-Labor councillors have mentioned to me that they're unhappy that Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller has been getting all of the credit for what council is doing since they were elected last September. They say that her photo is in the local paper every
week and she's quoted in all of the council press releases. They argue that locals will think that she's doing it all on her own. But the council's stance is that Ms Waller and general manager Phil Tolhurst are the spokespeople for Liverpool Council and therefore are quoted
about council matters and represent council at most events.
That seems valid to me, they are the senior representatives of council, so why shouldn't they be quoted. But it does seem that the councillors feel that they should get some credit for the work their doing for the area. And obviously that's valid too.
Some of them also argue that the reason the mayor is getting so much publicity is because she's preparing to launch a state election campaign in 2011. Liverpool Community Independents Team councillor Peter Harle said this week that he has asked the general manager
to include some of the councillors in the press releases that come out of the council's media department.
``We need to get some recognition,'' Cr Harle said.
``We're doing a lot for the community, I'm at events almost every day of the week and I am taking more than 40 phone calls a week and many more emails.
``The non-Labor councillors are doing a lot for the area and we're not being recognised for it.
``I understand that the mayor is the council's representative, but it feels like council is conducting a marketing campaign for her and that's just not right.''
Liberal councillor Tony Hadchiti said he's sure the mayor is using the publicity to raise her profile in the lead up to her state election campaign.
``She's got a lot of political ambition and she's working behind the scenes to take the next available state seat,'' Cr Hadchiti said.
``This council will not be dominated by one party, or one person, it's about a group effort and it's about getting things done.
``We're not here to help anyone's political career we're here to get things done for the area and after six months of being stopped in our efforts to do that, we're sick of it.
``I for one am sick of the Labor councillors always saying that we need to do a report on this and listen to the council officer's recommendations on that, we all know what needs to be done in the area, so we should just start doing it.
``We're not here to rubber stamp the officer's decisions.
``We were elected to be the area's leaders and to get things done, so we're doing that.''
Ms Waller said she finds the speculation amusing, but counter productive.
``I'm the mayor of Liverpool, I represent the city, it's the same in most other councils, so I don't understand why people are wanting to read more into it,'' Ms Waller said.
``We can't have everyone speaking for the city, it's much more workable to have one representative saying what's being done and being a representative for council and almost always it's the mayor that fulfills this role.
``I'm not in this job for recognition, it's not about ego for me, it's about improving Liverpool and making sure that everything runs smoothly here, because this is my home.''
While there is speculation that Ms Waller is interested in a state parliamentary seat, she denies this proposition.
``I'm not looking at moving up into State politics I am very happy where I am at the moment and not looking at going anywhere.''
Personally, I think that it is right and appropriate that the mayor be our city's ambassador. She is our highest elected representative on a local government level, so why shouldn't she be representing us?
And while I know that the councillors are doing a lot of work and deserve recognition, they do get quite a bit of publicity already. We give their ideas and initiatives quite a lot of coverage in the Champion. Do they really need to be quoted in press releases too?
Regardless, it feels like the political divisions on council are getting wider and wider by the week, which is very disheartening. It's almost as though the non-Labor councillors are waging a war on the Labor ones and the mayor in particular. How is anything going to get
done for Liverpool if they're squabbling all the time?
I think the non-Labor councillors have some wonderful ideas for the area and a strong connection with what the community wants, but the mayor does have a lot more political and local government experience then they do. So that could be something to consider. I also
happen to think that the mayor and the four Labor councillors are on council to make a difference too. I don't agree with the notion that the Labor councillors just aren't interested in the area. It is obvious at the council meetings and through my dealings with them that
their hearts are in the right place, they are interested in doing what's right for the area.
It's understandable that members of varying parties will not always agree, but it's not necessary to just go after each other and move motions just because the other party or grouping don't want that to happen. And I'm not saying it's just non-Labor doing that, both sides
are starting to play a bit dirty and it's not good for Liverpool.
I encourage the councillors to endeavour to work together for the good of the area and focus on how they can improve Liverpool instead of staying on the path to serious conflict that they're on at the moment.
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