Only hours before last Friday’s successful Socialist Party-organised rally on Smith St, Socialist Party Councillor Stephen Jolly received the following email from the Green Party Mayor of Yarra Council, Jenny Farrar. Stephen’s reply goes to the heart of the differences between these two parties in the area.

1. Email from Jenny Farrar

Dear Stephen

Council have become aware that you are organising a Street March in Smith Street, Collingwood for this afternoon on in regards to social behaviour.

You will appreciate, of course, that this event is not being sanctioned by Council and has no connection with the Council. I understand that your role in organising it is therefore a private role and does not involve the performance of your role as a Councillor.

I thought it appropriate to make this clear lest anyone suggest that the event will have or has some connection with the Council.

I am disappointed that you have not discussed this action with myself as mayor and fellow ward councillor.

Yours Sincerely
Cr Jenny Farrar

Councillor Jenny Farrar
Mayor of the City of Yarra
Langridge Ward Councillor

“Working for OUR Community”

2. Reply from Stephen Jolly

Dear Jenny

I fundamentally disagree with your statement: “I understand that your role in organising (the Smith St rally) is therefore a private role and does not involve the performance of your role as a Councillor”.

The successful rally last Friday was organised by the Socialist Party. I was proud to help with this important event. I did so as a member of the Socialist Party and as a Councillor.

It is my job as a Councillor to represent the community – that is what I was elected to do. It is not my role to act as a public relations officer for Yarra Council.

On many important issues, I disagree with the majority on Council. Your view that I should only involve myself in activities such as the Smith Street rally in a ‘private’ capacity, and act only in an official capacity when sanctioned to do so by Council, is politically absurd. As you would be well aware, such an approach to parliamentary politics is in direct contradiction to the activities of your party colleagues in state and federal parliament.

They regularly speak out against the government view, in media and at rallies, and they do so in their parliamentary roles. Even in moderate terms, the logic of your view on the role of elected Councillors is in direct conflict with fundamental tenets of ‘democratic pluralism’.

Incidentally, the Local Government Act in no way restricts my ability to speak out and mobilise community on pertinent issues, in my role as Councillor. When I do so, I am accountable to the electorate, not to you.

Your stance is a reminder of the difference in approaches between the Socialist Party and (at least some) of the Green Party on how to represent ordinary people as an elected public official.

Regards

Stephen Jolly

Stephen Jolly, Socialist Party Councillor for Langridge Ward, Yarra Council