Good motion too late for budget

LIA BICHEL
CASEY council will investigate whether they can find almost $100,000 to employ someone to tackle family violence issues.
At last week’s council meeting, where councillors voted to implement the 2012/2013 budget, Cr Lynette Keleher asked that council find $92,000 to employ a Family Violence Prevention officer to implement council resolutions and programs aimed at minimizing and preventing family violence in the municipality.
Cr Keleher said she wasn’t aware that council did not have a family violence prevention officer until a council meeting on 15 May, where council officers were unable to investigate or answer some of her concerns due to a lack of resources.
“It is so important and I would have done it sooner if I had known,” Cr Keleher said.
“I don’t care where the money comes from it’s a critical issue.”
Councillors voted unanimously against her motion, with Cr Shar Balmes stating whilst she was pro-active White Ribbon events and believed there needed to be something done against domestic violence, she thought the move was made too late.
“My concern is the amount of $92,000. We worked hard to make this budget and keep rates down and I am concerned this (move) comes at the eleventh hour,” she said.
Cr Amanda Stapledon said she thought the move had demerit, but questioned why the councilors were only hearing about the motion after they had discussed the council budget.
Cr Smith said everyone thought it was an important issue, but the problem was finding the money.
Councillors voted in favour of a new motion by Cr Kevin Bradford which stated that council further consider the allocation of $92,000 for the officer and a report come back to council at its next meeting on 3 July.