Jordan’s Justification-Webcasting issue

More Misrepresentation on why Port Stephens Was ‘Unplugged’

This is the audio of an interview with Terry Wall, TRRA President and Cr Jordan this morning (14 Feb 2013) on ABC radio . HERE

ABC Newcastle (Newcastle) Breakfast – 14/02/2013 7:23 AM

Aaron Kearney:

Kearney says Port Stephens Council have decided to stop web-casting council meetings due to concerns over defamation. Interview with Terry Wall, President, Tomaree Ratepayers and Residents Association and Ken Jordan, Councillor, Port Stephens Council. Jordan advises that he was in favour of web-casting initially but concerns over defamation, and threats by certain councillors changed his mind. Wall says councillors have a civil privilege and do not have anything to worry about. Jordan states that councillors make mistakes sometimes, and if they are recorded it can lead to problems. Kearney says technical issues have prevented the Newcastle Council from web-casting its meetings.

An extract from the December 2012 Port Stephens Council minutes on this subject is HERE and it should be noted that everything Cr. Jordan said in this interview about what happened when Port Stephens was unplugged was completely wrong. This was only ever a status report to Council.

The recommendation from staff was: 

RECOMMENDATION IS THAT COUNCIL:

1) Receive and note the report.

They drew to the attention of Councillors that :

FINANCIAL/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The costs associated with the “live” broadcast have increased as a result of the change in the Council meeting cycle. Council resolved to hold two Ordinary Council meeting at its meeting in September 2012.

It is anticipated that these costs will be able to be covered by saving from the changes to Council meeting cycle.

LEGAL, POLICY AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

Councillors have been previously advised of the legal risk associated with broadcasting “live” meetings.

SUSTAINABILITY IMPLICATIONS Includes Social, Economic and Environmental Implications

The provision of broadcasting via the Internet does allow members of the community who are not allowed to attend the meeting, or who reside a distance from the Council Chambers, to view the proceedings. This does provide for greater level of openness and transparency.

Nothing had changed since web-casting started. The staff did not recommend that it be scrapped. The statistics  provided proved that it was successful and the openness and transparency issue and travelling advantage was clearly spelled out.

The motion without any notice, seconded by Cr Jordan  was:

MOTION 329

Councillor Steve Tucker

Councillor Ken Jordan

It was resolved that Council immediately cease broadcasting Council meetings via the Internet.

Note: That there is nothing in this motion about scrapping the archived material on the Council website that was all gone the next morning.

I wonder if Cr Jordan was aware that all the misrepresentations that he made this morning on radio are available on the record and can’t be removed. Welcome to the 21st Century Councillor, and thanks for blowing $20,000.00 of the ratepayers money, we now have nothing to show for it at all and you have no credibility! 

This has nothing to do with legal issues or getting sued for defamation, this is about transparency, civility at meetings and accountability to ratepayers and that just disappeared with the camera.

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One Response to Jordan’s Justification-Webcasting issue

  1. Peter QUIRK says:

    Your dead right with these comments about Councillor Jordan’s comments on Local ABC … he told a V…ery big porkie about a supposed staff recommendation to close down the Council webcasting … THEY DID NOT.

    What a cover-up, it was closed down to prevent ratepayers and residents from watching the antics of Councillors twisting and bending the rules to satisfy their development interests, simple as that !!

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