Christmas on the Monaro - Will We Get the Truth This Christmas? - By Chris Chan
Hello, fellow listeners – it’s been quite the season, hasn’t it? While I was working on a summary of last Thursday’s council meeting (watch out for the upcoming article, “The Cooma Council Comedy Club”), breaking and urgent news has landed. For all our supporters, I promise the wait will be worth it.
But first, the heavens appear to have answered our prayers. More truth is about to come to light. Perhaps not in the way Mayor Hanna and Acting CEO Rawlings would like, but then again, they brought this hullabaloo upon their own heads.
Councillor Andrew Thaler and the Blockade of Transparency
In short: it’s now proven that Mayor Hanna, Acting CEO Rawlings, and their loyal gang of councillors have spent your ratepayer dollars to block a legitimately elected councillor, Andrew Thaler, from doing his job. This isn’t conjecture; it’s fact. And now, the Office of Local Government (OLG) has taken a keen interest in the matter.
For those just joining this saga, let me quickly catch you up.
What’s Behind the TDS (Thaler Derangement Syndrome)?
Why do some councillors and staff react with such hostility to Councillor Thaler? Officially, they claim he’s an “occupational health and safety risk” due to “nasty words” aimed at people not doing their jobs. Unofficially? It’s clear they fear the questions he’s asking on your behalf:
Why are rates skyrocketing despite deteriorating services?
Why is the mobile library being shelved while Cooma Library expands hours?
Why are critical documents being hidden from public view and even the view of councillors when they involve community interests?
The problem for the incumbents? These questions demand answers. Answers they seem desperate to avoid.
The Mysterious CEO Resignation
The story began shortly after the October elections when then-CEO David Hogan resigned under mysterious circumstances. Acting CEO David Rawlings quickly took the reins, and alongside Mayor Hanna, attempted to suppress all documentation surrounding Hogan’s resignation.
Not only did they hide these documents from the public, but they also withheld them from Independent councillors—Rose, Stewart, Elliott, Williamson, and Thaler. Naturally, this left residents wondering: Why would a CEO leave abruptly very early in his term?
Then came the unintentional gift, courtesy of State Member Steve Whan. Speaking on radio, Whan let slip what should have been a statement from the mayor: Hogan resigned due to legal threats. This accidental confession only deepened suspicions. After all, threats are just threats. If they had no merit, why resign? The answer likely lies in the validity of those legal claims—and if true, this implicates not just the CEO but the entire governing body.
Councillor Rose Pushes for Transparency
At the first post-election council meeting, Independent Councillor Rose pushed for transparency surrounding Hogan’s resignation. He was swiftly shut down. Mayor Hanna and Acting CEO Rawlings raised the tired shield of “confidentiality,” declaring Hogan left for “personal reasons.”
But the Independents didn’t back down. Rose and his colleagues refused to accept flimsy explanations, and their persistence paid off. Documentation has since emerged that proves council staff and incumbent councillors conspired to obstruct Andrew Thaler from fulfilling his duties.
Let that sink in. Before Thaler was even sworn in, your ratepayer dollars were used to deny a fellow citizen his legitimate right to represent the community. It’s shocking, unconscionable, and would almost be funny if it weren’t happening in your backyard. Imagine how those funds could have been better spent—fixing roads, maintaining services, or supporting libraries—instead of perpetuating petty vendettas.
Enter the Office of Local Government
The Minister for Local Government (or his henchmen) has now issued a Performance Improvement Order (PIO), demanding reforms and addressing governance failures. As you will see in the link, one of the possible outcomes is that: “If the council does not comply with the PIO, further intervention options will be considered including, but not limited to, suspension of council and appointment of an interim administrator and/or holding a public inquiry.”
While some directives align with community demands (e.g., fiscal responsibility), other claims are, frankly, outrageous:
"Councillors, including Cr Thaler, pose psychosocial risks to staff and fellow councillors.
Holding staff and colleagues accountable for poor performance isn’t a “risk”—it’s the councillors’ job. Expecting higher standards when public money is involved is called responsible governance.
Thaler’s social media posts bring the council into disrepute.
In a democratic society, a public servant exposing the truth should be praised, not censored. Attempts to silence him are the real threat to democracy.
"Certain councillors disrupt meetings with baseless allegations."
Baseless? To date, it’s the incumbents who’ve been legally cornered, not Thaler. The focus should be on their governance failures, not on deflecting accountability.
Mayor Hanna claims Thaler sent him an intimidating email.
Calling leaders to account isn’t about creating hostility; it’s about ensuring fairness and justice for the community.
The Pit They Dug for Others
As the saying goes, those who dig a pit for others often fall into it themselves. The Streisand Effect is already taking hold—the more the incumbents try to suppress transparency, the more glaring their failures become.
The Minister for Local Government’s intervention is a welcome step toward cleaning up this mess, but it’s up to you, the residents, to remain vigilant. Watch closely, demand answers, and hold your representatives accountable. On the next voting day, let’s ensure these shenanigans are remembered, and that transparency, accountability, and good governance return to the Monaro.
Will we get the truth this Christmas? If the heavens have anything to say about it, I think we just might.
Stay tuned, stay informed, and as always—keep asking questions.
As a personal Christmas request, please share this article with your neighbors - we can’t let the truth get buried under bureaucracy. We must keep the candle of truth and accountability burning - it may be at a very real risk of being snuffed out if the forces of darkness get their way. Imagine not having councillors that are honest and brave enough to stand against the mismanagement and “alleged” corruption. As long as the Independents continue to stand for truth, we must do our part in supporting them, and bringing awareness to the issues that affect all of us in this region.
Have a Merry Christmas, and may God bless the Monaro.
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