Vote of no confidence Harvey shire president

Tonight’s vote of no confidence in Harvey shire president Tania Jackson could become a non-event if the motion is not seconded by a councillor.

Cr Jackson said a lot of people told her they were happy with the work the council was doing, but she understood there were frustrations in the community, particularly with the Bunbury Outer Ring Road project.

“I have a lot of respect from the community and they don’t like that this vote of no confidence has been put forward,” Cr Jackson said.

“There is a lot going on so council will spend the time to make sure we get the best results for the community.”

The vote follows the general electors meeting on January 22 where a petition of 139 signatures was handed to the council calling for the vote of no confidence.

Roelands resident Brian Hanson tabled the petition stating Cr Jackson was not acting on behalf of the people and not observing the council’s rules of conduct.

Mr Hanson requested deputy president Paul Beech chair the meeting but the Local Government Act 1995 states any special meeting be presided over by the mayor or shire president unless they are unable or unwilling to do so.

Cr Jackson said councillors were not required to vote on the motion and the result would be presented as minutes for the council to receive at a later meeting.

“There will be no discussion unless the motion is put forward and seconded, then it would be like any other council or electors meeting,” she said.

Cr Jackson said only the Minister for Local Government could remove her as shire president and councillor and the process of no confidence could not remove her.

“There is not an outcome that will change anything, it is simply a process for those people to be heard,” she said.

Local Government Minister David Templeman’s office confirmed the Minister had the power to suspend and/or order an individual council member to undertake remedial action when the Minister was satisfied that it was inappropriate for the council member to continue to act as a member of council without intervention.

Cr Jackson said she was not aware of a special meeting being called during her 22 years on the council.

The special meeting of electors is on at 5.30pm at the Shire of Harvey chambers after the development services committee meeting.