Zoe Moffatt
‘Petty politics’, ‘embarrassing’ and ‘chaos’ were just some of the words thrown around by Hume councillors to describe a discussion about carols by candlelight during a council meeting on Monday, April 15.
In what started out as a seemingly straightforward notice of motion by mayor Naim Kurt – to explore options for hosting or funding a small-scale carols by candlelight event in Westmeadows – quickly erupted.
Councillor Trevor Dance also wanted options in Bulla to be explored, while Cr Jodi Jackson wanted to add either Mickleham or Kalkallo to the growing list.
Cr Joseph Haweil spoke against this and said council needs to have a reasonable discussion on the governance basis to work out how it expends funds, without “willy nilly throwing up events here and there based on personal preference”.
“I don’t want to be the grinch that ruins Christmas here but I have to put my governance hat on,” he said.
“Now we have imposed a burdance [sic] on officers to come back with reports as to Christmas carols events across various areas.
“Why not Greenvale, why not Roxburgh Park, why not the 20 other suburbs that we have in Hume city?
“I’m not interested in this petty politics that’s playing out tonight, I’m trying to make a point. This is not an appropriate governance process that has been followed here tonight.
“I don’t think we need to go and have 20 different reports about carols by candlelight events in various areas.
“We have to work out a way that we look at this in a rational way and so to that extent and given the chaos this has caused, I move that this matter be deferred.”
Supporting the deferral, Cr Jack Medcraft said he could not believe council got to that stage.
“It’s like we’re in a bull ring, trying to avoid getting gored by a bull,” he said.
“Christmas carols, I thought they were supposed to be nice and happy but this has been very embarrassing and I’m sorry I’m in the room.”
The issue was deferred to a future council meeting.
