The Northern Territory government recently dismissed all elected members of the Coomalie council, a decision based on findings from an independent investigation. The council’s jurisdiction stretches over 2,000 square kilometers, including the suburbs of Batchelor, Adelaide River and Lake Bennett. Most recently it has come under fire for its overall management and conduct. The relatively small community, with a population of a little over 1,300, is looking forward to the change in leadership. A special election is scheduled for August 23.
Local Government Minister Steve Edgington, announcing the dismissal, pointed to “serious and sustained deficiencies” that have long festered in the council. The decision comes on the back of a detailed report from Cathryn Hutton, a long-standing former chief executive of two NT councils. Her research revealed a striking turnaround in the city council’s conduct in just the past two years. That change has now caused a crisis in governance.
Governance Breakdown
Even more shocking, perhaps, was the finding that Coomalie council members had divided into two very separate, often antagonistic voting blocs. This pattern exacerbated preexisting tensions and fostered a toxic culture. We gained rich qualitative testimony about the specific behaviors that eroded effective governance. Importantly, council member Sharon Beswick was ultimately censured for her treatment during meetings. Faced with growing dissent from parents and local leaders, she allegedly commandeered meetings, reading a long, 40-minute speech that some have called “verbal bulldozing.”
Beswick’s persistent tactical interjections and interruptions in meetings stifled the process of open communication altogether. The report indicated that she often silenced speakers, particularly during disagreements, and directed inappropriate comments towards both fellow councillors and staff. These actions put a wedge between council members, and more importantly poisoned the well in terms of how the public perceived and trusted their governing body.
Beswick engaged in violent, disruptive behavior during each of those meetings. She did not disclose a potential conflict of interest when development planning occurred on property adjacent to her own private business. This gap created serious ethical implications and led to widespread demands for harsher regulations regarding council members’ behavior.
Recommendations for Improvement
These included developing six key performance indicators for the Coomalie council and forming a governance and leadership committee. The first set of these recommendations includes proposals to introduce new, heavier penalties for code-of-conduct violations. They recommend better training for council members to help them recognize what constitutes a violation of ethical standards and responsibilities.
Kon Vatskalis, a local leader and member of the community, has been a strong advocate for tougher regulations. He stated, “Communities want to know what the government is going to do to address these issues if they happen again in the meantime.” His worries are shared by many residents who want a stronger accountability/efficiency dynamic injected into City Hall’s DNA.
The report’s 2020-21 realities highlight the urgency for local leaders to act and re-establish faith in the consistency of local government. If these recommendations are adopted, there can be a council that is more transparent and accountable to the citizens of the country’s capital.
The Path Forward
The Coomalie community is still mobilizing as they look towards elections on August 23, and locals are optimistic for a new beginning. Their dismissal by the state has opened up a rare leadership opportunity. This new team is passionate about promoting learning and collaboration, as well as enforcing ethical practices.
This dismissal has far-reaching impacts beyond the day-to-day implications of governance. It does signal the reform hunger that exists within the councils of the Northern Territory. Next comes the real test—the government’s ability to meet these challenges head-on. The real question is whether it will take the steps needed to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
