BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS
Irene Doutney is expected to be appointed as Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Sydney next month, replacing Robyn Kemmis, who died late last year.
Clr Doutney and Clr Moore both signed a memorandum of understanding last week, which cited Doutney’s political position with that of Clover Moore’s Independent Party.
Clr Doutney said that the new role would increase her influence at council, allow her to focus on policies which could be improved, as well as assist other councillors who were otherwise on their own at the council.
Speaking to City Hub, Clr Doutney said that the memorandum was a decision she and her party had not taken lightly.
“I have got to be strong and independent. This will give me more of an input and influence things. I would have loved to have seen it to be a much more collegiate council, but it isn’t.”
Clr Doutney said the decision taken followed discussions within The Greens Party, as well as council reference groups, and two local Greens groups.
Clover Moore described the appointment of Clr Doutney as a continuum of their already “very effective working relationship” on a Facebook post last week.
She said the move to appoint an existing councillor was motivated by the desire to avoid a costly by-election.
Clr Moore also said she wanted to avoid “fractured council held hostage by party politicians who sense an opportunity for political point scoring or who refuse to make decisions.”
But that is not how some other councillors see it.
Labor Councillor Linda Scott told City Hub that it was a “backroom deal” that meant that the Greens had “put power before principle”.
She said this was evidenced by the fact the Clr Moore had sought to defeat eleven of her environment saving motions from last year.
These included investigating bike share schemes, increase solar energy for council property, and increasing green space.
Liberal Councillor Christine Foster said that the deal should have been more transparent.
“I think the process should have been transparent, not a back room deal, election of the deputy Lord Mayor is stitched up, and that delivers Irene into the deputy lord mayoralty,” Clr Foster said.
She told City Hub that in the future the Clover Moore Independent Party may be forced to engage in cross party consultation and decision making with the Liberals and other parties.
“There is no question in my mind, I would predict with changes to non-residential electoral role that is very likely Clover will not have the control of council. If she’s elected she will have to negotiate with other parties.”
In the meantime though, Clr Doutney has signaled that social housing will be a priority for her if she is deputy Lord Mayor.
She said her focus will be on social housing tenants in the local government area, following the state government decision last weekend to bulldoze social housing in Waterloo.
“It is very concerning news for the people of Waterloo. They are talking about waterloo because of the metro station, but it is concerning for everyone because it will extend into all of the social housing.”
In the memorandum of understanding, it outlined the seven key priorities from its 2008 Sustainable City 2030 document and the values of The Greens.
The memorandum states: “Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Greens Councillor Irene Doutney acknowledge the alignment between these principles, policies and objectives as the basis for this agreement”.
Goals in the 2030 agreement include action on global warming, increased sustainable transport,. improved social inclusion and equity and support for cultural life,
The memorandum states that these loosely align with the four principles of the Greens environmental sustainability, social equality and economic justice, grassroots democracy, peace and nonviolence.
The pair will discuss issues ahead of the council meeting, and consult continually with one another on ongoing issues.
Under the memorandum, the pair shall discuss issues to reach a common viewpoint on issues.
“The Greens come from a more consensus way of doing things, and we want to work with people,” Clr Doutney said.
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