The Silence of the Faction

The Silence of the Faction: Questions That Demand Answers - By Chris Chan

In the latest twist of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council saga, I have been informed that Councillor Andrew Thaler has raised a series of piercing questions directed at Mayor Chris Hanna and his voting bloc. These questions, sparked by the looming threat of council suspension under a proposed Performance Improvement Order (PIO) from the Minister for Local Government, shine a spotlight on the deeper fractures within the council chamber.

At the heart of the matter lies an unsettling silence. As the Minister for Local Government levels allegations of poor financial performance and governance failings, the question has finally been asked, that many in the community have whispered but few have dared to say aloud: Why would you and your faction remain silent in the face of the Minister’s allegations of poor financial performance?

The silence is deafening. The NSW Auditor-General’s recent report presented at the December council meeting painted a picture of significant improvement in the council’s financial position. Yet, this favorable assessment was overshadowed by the Minister’s move towards intervention. Please explain! If the council’s finances are on the mend, why isn’t the leadership championing this fact? Why allow the perception of dysfunction to linger unchecked? Notably, Labor councillor Lynda Summers praised the council during the same meeting for their commendable efforts in passing the audit. It raises questions as to why her ministerial superior is now contradicting her public statements.

But the inquiry doesn’t stop there. Do you actually want the council suspended? It’s a bold question that implies a far more concerning scenario – that elements within the council may see suspension as a convenient reset button, potentially sidelining dissenting voices and consolidating power.

The probe however goes even further, suggesting that the pattern of inaction might not just be passive but deliberate. Does your voting bloc actively want the council suspended? The insinuation is clear – could it be that certain Gang councillors see suspension as a means to an end, preferring the control that comes with state oversight by a Labor appointee rather than navigating the challenges of democratic governance?

Perhaps the most provocative question of all is this: Did you organise this PIO with the Minister up in Tamworth? This direct accusation of collusion places the Mayor and his allies under intense scrutiny. The reference to Tamworth hints at potential backroom dealings at the Annual Conference of the Local Government Association recently held in Tamworth on 21-22 November suggesting that the Minister’s intervention might not be as impartial as it seems.

The stakes are high. A PIO could see councillors suspended, placing the council under administration and stripping local representatives of their authority. For those concerned, this represents not just an affront to local democracy but a betrayal of the community’s trust.

The community deserves transparency. If the council’s leadership believes the Minister’s actions are justified, they must say so and explain why. If not, they must push back forcefully and publicly. Silence is not a neutral act – it is a tacit endorsement of the Minister’s claims.

As we approach what could be a defining moment for the Snowy Monaro, one thing is certain: these questions will not go away. They will linger in council chambers, community halls, and around kitchen tables until answers are given. And for the residents of this region, those answers cannot come soon enough.