Bob Edlin: Another costly Code of Conduct inquiry....

Another costly Code of Conduct inquiry – but captious councillor contends he had to lodge yet another official complaint

Exactly what was said seems to be uncertain.

According to the Southland Tribune, Invercargill deputy Mayor Grant Dermody is alleged to have directed some vituperative words at a council officer, whereas Dermody claims he said something else to someone else.

Chris Trotter: They Call It “Democracy” – But They’re Lying.

On the evidence to date, the turnout for this year’s local government elections will plumb new depths. Some will blame indifference, others apathy, and a courageous few will interpret the record low turnout as proof that democracy itself is failing.

The case that democracy is failing – or has already failed – is a strong one. All over the country there is a growing sense among voters that whoever is running their cities, it isn’t the people they elected to office three years ago. Indeed, there is a strong suspicion that any elected representative brave or foolhardy enough to stand up and speak out against the policies and conduct of the council machine is asking for serious trouble.