The Public : Vox Pops

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The public is perhaps the most important player in the debate about democracy in Wollongong – they are the ones missing out (for better or worse) on an elected local government, and are who will make democracy in the Illawarra work when the time comes to vote.

During these interviews most people had a good background in what happened with ICAC, and many had strong views about what should happen in the town.

These interviews took place at North Wollongong Beach and inside the Administration Building at the University of Wollongong. Each person was given a brief background (if they needed it) and then asked: what do you think – are the Administrators to right choice for Wollongong now, or should we have an elected local government?”

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North Wollongong Beach




University of Wollongong

The Ex-Federal MP - Michael Organ

What do you think of the Administrators?



What is the future of democracy in Wollongong?



Extended Interview

Timeline

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Some key events of the last year and a half for Wollongong City Council, from day one of the ICAC public inquiry to present.

18 February 2008 - ICAC inquiry begins

21 February 2008 - Councillors and some of Wollongong's most prominent identities named in inquiry - nicknamed Gong-gate

24 February 2008 - The infamous Beth Morgan sex scandal puts Wollongong on the map around Australia

3 March 2008 - Former Premier Morris Iemma announces he will sack Wollongong City Council

4 March 2008 - Gabrielle Kibble, Dr Colin Gellatly and Robert McGregor appointed as Administrators of Wollongong City Council.

8 October 2008 - ICAC recommends charges be laid against 11 people involved in the scandal.

2009 - Council Administrators begin work on the new Local Environment Plan for Wollongong

15 June 2009 - New Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre opens

21 July 2009 - ICAC asks Director of Public Prosecutions to consider criminal charges against those implicated in corruption.

22 July 2009 - Work begins on refreshing Dapto Square

26 August 2009 - Construction begins on upgrading Wollongong's Civic Plaza

28 September 2009 - Local Government Minister Barbara Perry confirms that Administrators will stay until 2012

16 October 2009 - NSW Premier Nathan Rees announces Wollongong's sportsground will receive a $28.9 million makeover

17 October 2009 - Former Council General Manager Rod Oxley, who was heavily implicated in the ICAC scandal, announces in the Illawarra Mercury that he will publish a book to clear his name.

19 October 2009 - ICAC confirms that Kiril Jonovski, Zeki Esen and Frank Gigliottti are being prosecuted.

The Youth : Jessica Saad

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Jessica Saad is a student at the University of Wollongong. She also works full-time as a Management Cadet in the Environment Unit at the University, and has won a number of accolades as a young businesswoman. She has been a Director on the board of the Illawarra Business Chamber since 2008.

She is President of Junior Chamber International Illawarra, which took her to a UN climate change summit in Geneva this year. In September, Jessica was appointed to the Wollongong City Centre Advisory Committee, established to provide advice to Council on important the future of Wollongong’s City Centre.

As an Illawarra local, Jessica is passionate about encouraging students at the University of Wollongong to stay in the town after they graduate – instead of leaving to work in Sydney. She says that the events of 2008 led students to believe Wollongong was a corrupt town and hasn’t helped keep graduates in the local area.

“As a student I really want to stay here and use my skills here after I study,” she said.

“But when you here that that’s going on it doesn’t make it a place that you want to stay and build a career in because you feel like your building a career in a corrupt city.”

Jessica is enthusiastic and positive about the future of democracy in Wollongong, because she believes young people will lead the way when elections come around in 2012.

“For youth, I don’t think we’ve quite woken up to the fact yet that by the time that does come through and Councillors are getting elected, some of us – you know I’m 23 – we’re up for it,” she said.

“We can do it, we can put our hands up for it!”

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What happened in Wollongong in 2008?

What is the future of democracy in Wollongong?

Extended Interview

The Business Leader : Mark McDonald

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Mark McDonald is a Partner at local law firm Maguire & McInerney, and is also on the board of the Illawarra Business Chamber.

He is known to the community as a strongly independent business leader, and was recently put forward in a mock poll in the Illawarra Mercury as one of the leading candidates for future Mayor.

Mr McDonald has strong views about development and economic prosperity for Wollongong and believes we need to move forward with an elected, independent local government.

“The bottom line, in my view, is that we need local government to return here – we need elected local government… We’re not going to get it before the next election, we’ve got to acknowledge that.” Mr McDonald said.

“But I would like to see an independent Council, and independent Lord Mayor, take stock of this city or anyone other than those entrenched.”

“The political parties have to be made to work for and earn the respect and support of the local people.”

Note: In his interviews, Mr McDonald speaks about the need to update Wollongong’s ‘disgraceful’ sporting facilities – WIN Stadium. It should be noted that in the time since this interview, Premier Nathan Rees has announced a $28 million refurbishment for the stadium.

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What are the big issues in Wollongong in 2009?

What is the future of democracy in Wollongong?

Extended Interview

The Journalist : Paul McInerney

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Paul McInerney is a Senior Journalist at the Illawarra Mercury, and has worked at the paper for 20 years.

During the ICAC inquiry and ensuring scandal, Mr McInerney was Chief of Staff, a role where he oversaw hundreds of pages of coverage on the issue.

“I was very much at the front line. ICAC, when it was opened, I was there for the opening day,” he said.

“It came as a bit of a shock when the councillor assisting got to his feet to outline what the hearings would be all about. My jaw hit the deck, and it was over a forty page indictment of many of our most prominent citizens.”

In this interview, Mr McInerney talks about his experience as a journalist covering the ICAC scandal. He also speaks about his experience with the current Administrators, and about the public opinion of the current Council.

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What happened to democracy in Wollongong?

The Academic : Anthony Ashbolt

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Anthony Ashbolt is the convenor of the politics program in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Wollongong. He is often quoted in the Illawarra media on issues of politics, and has most recently weighed in to the debate about political donations at a state level.

His extensive knowledge of the Australian political system meant he was able to comment on the benefits and pitfalls of Australian democracy.

“No system of government, in a sense, is a guarantee of genuinely popular representation simply because certain interests have access to the means of communication much more directly than other people,” he said.

In this interview, he spoke about the cross-over between local, state and federal politics in Australia, and how duplication at all three levels of government can lead to corruption in the system.

Dr Ashbolt said that, while democracy is sometimes a ‘forlorn hope,’ he hopes the sacking of Wollongong Council will have alerted the voting public so that they don’t re-elect corrupt councillors in the future.

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How should a democratic local council work?



What is the future of democracy in Wollongong?



Extended Interview