The City of Rockingham’s council has decided against establishing a public transparency register to track lobbyists and developers, despite calls from residents for increased accountability. A special electors’ meeting in May led by Jarrad Krollig proposed the register to ensure transparency in council dealings. The council voted 7-4 to maintain current practices, arguing existing rules provide sufficient transparency, including disclosures of interest. Mayor Lorna Buchan highlighted the complexities of defining lobbying and emphasized that the council already operates under strict regulations. Additionally, the council unanimously rejected a proposal for a public accountability dashboard to simplify access to responses from council meetings, stating that current practices are standard across local governments in Western Australia.
Why It Matters
This decision reflects ongoing debates about transparency and accountability in local government. Transparency registers exist in other Western Australian cities, such as South Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder, indicating a broader trend toward public accountability. The Local Government Act mandates certain transparency measures, yet public concern about the influence of lobbying persists. The rejection of both the transparency register and the accountability dashboard may affect public trust in local governance, especially as residents express frustration over access to information and decision-making processes.
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