WHEN Councillor Kearney was asked about the sources of his campaign funds on 2ST last week, he responded that he didn’t know and left all that up to Mayor Watson’s wife, Robyn.

We know from recent events that the Shoalhaven Independents are all aware of at least one donation from Manildra following the debacle where they were required to withdraw from voting on an item crucial to that company’s operation.

As a sitting councillor, Mr Kearney is required to fully appraise himself of donations above $1000 in order to satisfy recent amendments to the Code of Conduct.

Such changes were introduced by the Department of Local Government following years of ICAC advice and an exhaustive review of political donations by the NSW Legislative Council.

Given the community’s heightened sensitivity to the impact of political donations on local government after witnessing the undoing of Tweed and Wollongong, it is simply not good enough to plead ignorance and pass the buck to party headquarters.

M. Corrigan,

Vincentia.