Maureen Nathan says voting is the only council duty she will be unable to do from France.
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Her comments followed the June 27 council meeting, when all councillors present voted to grant her leave from four consecutive meetings over the next three months.
“I can do a large portion of what I do now in France; we live in a digital world,” Cr Nathan said.
“I am not on holiday, this is simply my other address.”
I feel very strongly there is no reason she should have to give an explanation to the general community.
- Liz Innes
In the public forum, ratepayer Jim Bright said councillors were obliged to attend meetings whenever possible.
“Is there any precedence for this type and length of absence?” Mr Bright asked.
Mr Bright also noted the agenda provided no information about the reason for Cr Nathan’s leave, but Eurobodalla shire mayor Liz Innes did not see any need for it to be disclosed.
Cr Innes said she supported transparency, but “I feel very strongly there is no reason she (Cr Nathan) should have to give an explanation to the community”.
Cr Nathan was more forthcoming, and said the community understood there were times she lived in France, because that was her alternative address.
“They knew my lifestyle before I was voted in,” she said.
Cr Nathan defended her contribution.
“Since I have been elected, I have spent 98 days on various meetings throughout the shire and out of the shire on council activities,” she said.
“That’s simply the days I have diarised as ‘council’,” Cr Nathan said, before listing additional time spent on reading, preparation, community consultation and travel.
“The only thing I will not be able to do (in France) is vote in council meetings,” she said.
“When you look at international companies, they have board meetings and decision making with members flung far across the globe.”
NSW legislation precludes remote voting for local government
“That is why it becomes necessary to apply for a leave of absence,” she said.