If you're in Hornsby Shire you need to know about this!

At the April 10th Hornsby Shire council meeting Mayor Ruddock (the Captains pick of State Member Matt Kean who ousted the rank and file candidate Steve Russell, we'll get to that on another blog) attempted to put forward a Mayoral Minute to BAN political advertising across the Hornsby Shire.

Here is the motion:

10 MM4/19 Displaying of Election Material
(F2012/00820)

MOVED ON THE MOTION OF COUNCILLOR RUDDOCK, seconded by COUNCILLOR HUTCHENCE, 
THAT: 

1. Where political advertising is displayed on public/Council owned land, Council officers contact the relevant political party or independent candidate and request the removal of such material.
2. Council develop a policy regarding the management of political advertising material where it appears on public/Council land.
3. The policy also consider the management of unauthorised commercial advertising material on public/Council owned or managed land.

THE MOTION MOVED BY COUNCILLOR RUDDOCK, seconded by COUNCILLOR NICITA, WAS PUT AND LOST.

FOR:  COUNCILLORS HUTCHENCE, RUDDOCK AND TILBURY

AGAINST: COUNCILLORS DEL GALLEGO, HEYDE, MARR, MCINTOSH, NICITA AND WADDELL 

Photo: Nathan Tilbury, Mayor Phillip Ruddock, Michael Hutchence who all supported the undemocratic banning of political advertsing.
 

It failed. Why?

Because the progressives and the independents (and a wayward Liberal in Warren Waddell) blocked it.

Why is this important to the community?

Political advertising in an area like this is absolutely imperative to the political campaigning of the opposition and any minor or independent parties. To try and ban this from happening is an insult to the democratic process.

Why would they do this?

In the 2017 local government election there were rumours that ONLY Ruddock was permitted  to display corflute at polling stations or across the Shire, so they're no stranger to censorship. It's surprising the supporting Liberal councillors were so obedient. If you don't believe us feel free to prove us wrong and send in a photo of the corflutes from A Ward No 1 (which was actually Steve Russell) Nathan "Tillers" Tilbury, B Ward No 1 Robert Brown or C Ward No 1 Michael Hutchence.

It is done to STOP political visibility of anyone but those sitting councillors and to STOP political debate which only benefits incumbants.

Who benefits from this?

The majority Liberal party on council (who don't need to advertise) and the sitting MPs Matt Kean and Julian Leeser. 

Official comment has been sought by The Yardstick from Mr Kean and Mr Leeser but no response has been received to date.

Watch this space.