Local Government NSW Policy Platform (updated June 2019) states councillors are elected to shape, serve, support and give voice to their communities and must reflect the views of their communities on local government matters.

Live streaming the public forum is an important local government matter for Eurobodalla Shire citizens. Live streaming is an accurate public record enabling people who cannot attend meetings to see/hear their fellow citizens presenting and any questions asked by councillors.

Live streaming enables access by media to local government matters in the Eurobodalla.

However Mayor Liz Innes and six councillors voted for general manager Catherine Dale's "interpretation" of the Code of Meeting Practice to remove live streaming of the public forum. Eight presenters spoke passionately, intelligently and respectfully, encouraging councillors against removing a transparent, democratic function that continues in all other councils in our region.

Citizens will need "approval" to speak, 24 hours beforehand. Mayor Innes blames some citizens for council/community conflict. Is she hoping new controls will discourage some citizens? What is the criteria for an "approved" speaker? Who will decide?

The removal of live streaming of the forum conveys the message that transparency and engagement are not understood or valued. For a functioning democracy, we must hold power to account. We have a right to know about decisions made in our names by councillors and, for that matter, state and federal MPs.

In continuing to support reform in the aged care sector, including In the lead-up to the new Aged Care Quality Standards taking force from 1 July, the Older Persons Advocacy Network has developed resources to explain the new Charter of Aged Care Rights.

The new charter, also taking effect from 1 July 2019, describes how the older person is placed at the centre of care, and significantly requires the aged care provider to sign that they have explained the charter and the 14 rights to the person receiving aged care services.

We have developed a series of resources to support older people, their families and the aged care workforce to understand the charter, including videos, fact sheets and brochures.

Rights are so important, its probably only when have they have impinged on that you focus on them.

That's why these resources and the Charter are so important - they're opportunities to bring rights to the front and centre and ensure older people know what rights they have in aged care.

The new charter is easy to understand and places the older person at the centre of care.

From 1 July, the aged care sector will have to abide by these standards, and it's great to see that many have already started stepping up and supporting the Charter's implementation.

This charter is the shield and protection for older people receiving care, and forms part of the federal government's commitment to continuing quality improvement. This is essential, especially in the era of the Royal Commission.

The network has embarked on a country-wide tour of events. These invite aged care consumers, their families and carers to join an expert panel discussion which will step them through how the Charter will affect them. Visit https://opan.com.au/charter/