By SAM CUCCHIARA
A DANDENONG ratepayers’ group has slammed a move by Greater Dandenong Council to cap the number of public questions it will respond to during council meetings.
The criticism follows an internal review of the council’s meeting procedures, which govern the way its meetings are conducted.
The draft review, which was made public last week, indicates questions will be capped at three per person and question time will not exceed an hour.
Dandenong Residents and Ratepayers Association president Jim Houlahan said such changes would be an “attack on the freedom of information”.
Cr Matthew Kirwan said if question time were restricted, it would lead to less scrutiny of the council.
“Openness and transparency are essential for effective democracy and good governance,” he said.
Mayor Angela Long would not comment on the review, but said she believed question time should be limited.
Cr Long said that at some meetings there were people who asked up to “30 questions” and were not even present in the gallery.
The report is now available on the council website and open for public comment.
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