Labor candidates standing for office in this coming Saturday's Wollongong council election have promised that they will not be caucusing if elected. Their counterparts at Shellharbour are of a different sentiment - and will adopt the caucus vote if they are successful.
The " caucus " is a plank of the Australian Labor party. Members of that political persuasion meet before holding an official council meeting and discuss the issues likely to come before that meeting. They reach a decision by majority vote - and once that decision has been taken it is mandatory for all party members to vote along those lines within council.
Basically, the caucus option was one of the main reasons that Shellharbour council was deemed unworkable - and dismissed. In Wollongong, it led to a virtual cartel dominating council business - and probably helped introduce corruption.
The whole idea of democracy in council affairs revolves around fair minded people listening to debate on issues and then making up their own minds on the merits of each case. It seems that a " caucus vote " simply introduces a requirement that any decision reflects the position of a political party, rather than the genuine needs of the city and it's citizens.
Unfortunately the caucus system is not restricted to the Labor party. Others may deny it, but there is no doubt that contentious issues are discussed on what is commonly known as " the grape vine " - and positions taken long before they reach a council vote by all manner of sub groups and interested parties.
Getting something through council has long been a matter of using influence - and a hefty donation to election funds seems to help that cause.
At least the caucus issue is out in the open at Shellharbour - and voters can make up their own minds whether they accept it or reject it - before they put pen to ballot paper.
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