ALLIANCES and party politics have no place in local government, says a former Wagga councillor.
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During the two previous council meetings, the contentious climate emergency debate has appeared to shine a light on factions emerging within the elected body. Individual councillors have also been called out for using the platform to promote their political party's stance.
Former Wagga councillor Mary Kidson believes these are two problems that have no place in any local government - and did not exist during her 22 years serving the community.
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Nowadays, she said it was clear "a degree of factionism" has developed in this council.
"It might be idealistic for me to say, but we voted on the issues - and yes, sometimes that was influenced by personal belief, but there were never factions," she said.
Ms Kidson said councillors such as Paul Funnell, Dan Hayes and Vanessa Keenan have political affiliations that need to stay outside the council's decision-making.
"Those parties should not be a part of deliberation. The judgement should be on the issue, cost and if council has enough money. It is not healthy to have political party behaviours in council," she said.
Although the councillors have disagreed on many topics, Wagga mayor Greg Conkey considered it to be a part of the democratic process. He said the councillors understand that everyone has differing views, which should be respected.
"There will always be issues such as climate change that divides the whole community that we represent," he said. "I was fairly concerned and disappointed by some of the bitterness shown towards councillors and others who expressed views (during the climate emergency motions). It is important we debate the issue, not the individual."
Former councillor Julian McLaren said local representatives voting in accordance to factions is the reality of local government.
"In any functioning democracy there will be conservatives, left wing and in between. It's a part of any system and we have to accept it," he said. "The last meeting demonstrated that a councillor will play a political game to highlight their factional alignment."
Wagga Ratepayers Association representative Lynne Bodell also believes council factions are expected because everyone has different viewpoints. However, she said political parties need to stay out of the city's council.
"If they can't put aside the divisions, then they are going to be dysfunctional," she said.
"Politics, however, should not come into play. We want councillors listening to what the people want rather than what they think."