Thursday, March 09, 2006

Drunk on duty

Melbourne City Council Free alcohol under review

Guilty of chairing a public meeting whilst drunk.

Call to put an end to free piss ups and free booze for Councillors and Staff and adopt a "No drinking whilst on the job" policy.

Reports in the Age Newspaper and Herald Sun March 9, 2006 about Councilllor Snedden being too drink to chair a meeting comes as no surprise and confirm our concern and need for the City of Melbourne to review its free booze policy. This situation confronts all Councillors and senior staff who have access to the booze cabinet.

Melbourne City Councillors this month are more concerned about the fun and freebies in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games then they are with issues of governance and administration.

Councillor Snedd0n was not the first and sadly will not be the last as long as the Council continue to provide free booze top senior staff and Councillors.

Whilst Cr Fiona Snedden must accept responsibility for he own actions the City Council must also share some responsibility for the situation that Cr Snedden found herself in after last Tuesday's Council meeting. There are questions as to the Council's overall legal liability and duty of care.

The City of Melbourne continue to provide free on tap booze to councillors who often find themselves in the situation where they drink too much free booze. Te cost of this free booze fountain is all paid for by the ratepayer.

Hopefully we will not see a repeat of this sort of behaviour and the Councillors will not need to undergo a breathalyzer test before taking to the stage or handed the gavel.

The City Council must put an end to the free bar tab and restrict the supply of alcohol to staff and councillors.

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