A regular feature canvassing the views of Elected Representatives
Councillor Chan Boo Hwa,
Christmas Island Shire Council, Western Australia.
Q. How long have you been on Council?
I have been an elected Councillor since 1994.
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
I first got involved in 1986 when the Christmas Island Services Corporation (CISC) employed me. This was the organisation that conducted Local Government type services prior to 1992 when the Christmas Island Law Reform process enabled the Local Government to be elected under the relevant Act.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your Council and community?
I arrived on Christmas Island in 1981 from Malacca (Malaysia) and became an Australian Citizen in 1987. I am married with two children, a boy, and a girl. Our Council is very young compared to most Councils on the mainland and we are slowly developing policies and procedures as the community and Island develops. The community elects the President. The Councillors elect the Deputy President and there are a total of 10 elected members. Council meets once a month on a Tuesday evening. Our community celebrates multiculturism and Harmony Day is organised by the Shire and celebrated each year. Our population is made up of approximately 60% Chinese origin, 15% Malay origin, and 35% Caucasian or other origin.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced while in Local Government?
One of the biggest challenges is that, being an External Non Self Governing Territory, we have to deal directly with the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth tends to act as a big brother to the Shire. The Federal Minister tends to instruct the Shire rather than to consult and agree on ways ahead. Some state type functions are delivered to the Island under contractual arrangements between the Commonwealth and the WA Government.
Q. What are some of your high points whilst in Local Government?
Meeting with Federal Ministers and the Local Government (WA) people and discussing issues that affect Christmas Islanders. As a Councillor you are also aware of issues before they become general news. Working closely with the community and understanding their concerns and being able to assist is also a high point.
Q. How did Council and the community deal with the Tampa crisis last year? What kind of a role did it play?
The Tampa incident was confusing for the community and the Shire. In the past the Shire was notified quickly and the community resources were used to transfer the refugees to the sports hall so that they could be treated for any illness and be duly processed. The community also assisted by making sure that religious beliefs were maintained for the Islamic refugees by ensuring that Halal food was served. With the Tampa incident the Shire was not invited to attend meetings with the other Commonwealth agencies on the Island. There was no consultation with the community and obviously the Shire no longer had a role to play. Time will tell whether the millions of dollars spent on the Tampa incident will prove to be effective use of taxpayers’ money.
Q. How do you think Local Government can strengthen its force on the political landscape of Australia?
Local Government is the elected representatives from the community. They know, or have access to, what the community wants. Councillors live in the community as opposed to State or Federal leaders who fly in fly out a few times a year. When Federal and State leaders are actually willing to listen and negotiate issues with Councils that bring win/win outcomes, then the country would be a lot better. Constitutional recognition of Councils would improve the political landscape of Australia.
Deputy Mayor Richard Graham,
City of Cockburn, Western Australia
Q. When and how did you first get involved in Local Government?
In December 2000 I was elected as a Councillor. The election was hard fought, and required a lot of campaigning. At the time I was 20 years old. I was subsequently elected Deputy Mayor by the Council.
Q. What makes a 20 year old get involved in Local Government?
I live in a newly developed suburb. My local progress association was very active in lobbying government for extra services. I became involved with the group, and took an interest in local affairs. When it came to election time I thought I’d give it a go. I liked the idea of being part of what’s happening in my local community.
Q. Can you tell us a little bit about your Council?
Cockburn is one of the major coastal municipalities in the Perth metro area. It is situated 22km south of Perth, and 8km south of Fremantle. Its population is just over 75,000 people and is expected to grow to more than 100,000 by the year 2010. Cockburn is a developing city, with a mix of residential and rural areas and is at an exciting stage of its growth. With about 23,000 residential dwellings and over 1500 businesses, it still has the capacity for another 15,000 residential homes.
Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced while in Local Government?
Trying to balance economic, social and environmental interests has been challenging. It has required judgments that I have never had to make before. You have to think about the needs of both today’s and tomorrow’s generation.
Q. What are some of your high points while in Local Government?
Just before writing this article, I was on the phone helping a primary school student with a school essay on his local Council. That’s a high point. Dealing with ordinary people. Being the human contact between their lives and Local Government.
Q. In regards to LG what are some of the issues of importance to you?
As an industry we need to focus on the big picture. Councillors need to take a broad outlook, and focus on strategic direction. It saddens me to see divisions in Councils. It is non productive and often is a result of not being able to ‘see the forest for the trees’. We need to be ambitious about what can be achieved. When we come across as small minded it only hurts our cause.
Q. What can young people in particular bring to Local Government and/or Council?
Drive, ambition, energy. That’s not to say more senior Councillors don’t have the same qualities. One of my fellow Councillors is a proud 71 years old, and I struggle to keep up with her sometimes. But we need young people as well. Councils need to be representative of the community. Having young members adds to our diversity.
Q. How do you think Local Government can strengthen its force on the political landscape of Australia?
We need to act professional and avoid being petty. I think sometimes State and Federal MPs look at us and only see the division and rancour that is sometimes displayed, without seeing the good we do. The more professional we act as a group, the greater our influence on the political arena. Oh … and constitutional recognition too!
