Councillors defend 'secrecy'

Dot Holdom, Kevin Skinner, Mike Rayner, Joan Van Lieshout, Warren Polglase, Barry Longland, Phil Youngbutt and Katie Milne

Blainey Woodham

Poll

Should councillors have to come clean about their opinions on climate change?

This poll ended on 12 April 2010.

Yes

96%

No

0%

Undecided

4%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

A MURWILLUMBAH district business owner has accused Tweed Shire councillors of being secretive over their personal opinions on climate change.

Proprietor of the Uki Guesthouse Jules Lewin late yesterday told the seven councillors at a community access session they should come clean on their opinions.

But several councillors defended the secrecy, with former mayor and Liberal Party candidate for the federal seat of Richmond, Joan van Lieshout, saying councillors could be ridiculed if they made their opinions public.

Ms Lewin said she had sent each councillor a letter two weeks ago regarding climate change and whether they were “skeptics”.

“Only one councillor replied,” Ms Lewin said.

Cr van Lieshout said councillors made decisions in council “in the best interests of the community”.

Cr Barry Longland told Ms Lewin she could look at the way councillors voted and consider whether that was “a reflection of their position on climate change. You are entitled to make a judgment based on those decisions,” he said.