Opinion
22 August, 2026
Opinion: Self-described ‘outsider’ is out of touch
Wingecarribee Shire councillor James Farrell rarely says anything at meetings. No comment. Let’s move things along.
Wingecarribee Shire councillor James Farrell rarely says anything at meetings.
No comment. Let’s move things along.
When someone is elected to local government they are expected to speak up and speak out on behalf of the community.
That’s the job. Isn’t it the only job?
Councillors get elected by the community, they sit in the chamber and they speak on behalf of the people that elected them there in the first place.
Cr Farrell found his voice this week for all the wrong reasons.
First, he had a crack at the Minister for Local Government and Planning, Paul Scully, suggesting the Minister’s intervention had nothing to with council’s improved DA assessment times.
OK, let’s put them in the same room and debate that one.
Let’s hear Cr Farrell tell the community what he has done – if anything at all – to help improve DA assessment times since he was elected to council.
Better still, let’s see a list of his Notices of Motion or a summary of his contribution to council debate since late 2024.
Cr Farrell – as all councillors do – draws a salary from the public purse.
It’s not much, and it’s certainly not what some councillors deserve, but like any job in the public sphere it comes with some very simple expectations about performance.
Next comes the absolute clanger.
Cr Farrell first said it would come as a surprise that he agreed with Cr Rachel Russell on something and then led into a little speech on climate change.
Firstly, it came as more of a surprise that he actually had something to say on anything.
Secondly, he doesn’t agree with Cr Russell on climate change or any other issue.
Thirdly, his contribution to the debate on climate change stepped us back to the 1950s.
Cr Farrell’s argument is this: mankind is not solely responsible for climate change.
To quote: “I agree there is climate change but the things we are doing won’t make a difference.”
Hang on, are you actually serious?
Are you so disconnected with the people that voted for you – the people that want you to represent them - that you believe your own drivel?
Even the members of your own voting bloc dismissed you without having the courage to call you out.
Cr Smith: “There’s nothing enough we can’t do on this front.”
Cr Champion: “Climate change is a fact. Climate adaptation is making the world better,”
Then came the recommendation that council transitions its fleet to electric vehicles.
“I’m an outsider,” he said.
“I don’t think we should be transitioning at all.”
‘Outsider’ is an understatement.
Far removed is closer to the mark. Totally disconnected, probably spot on.
I hate it when councillors don’t contribute to debate in a meaningful way. I hate it when they read pre-prepared statements or refuse to answer questions from fellow councillors.
Cr David Kent is leader of the board on that one.
Listen to a few council meeting livestreams, and you will see what I mean.
His most consistent contribution to debate is simple: “Can we put this?”
It would make a great t-shirt for his next campaign.
I don’t have to agree with anything said in the chamber. Nobody does.
As long as they say something. As long as they participate in robust and respectful debate.
That’s what they are elected for.
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Disclaimer the publisher of The Southern Wire has a close personal relationship with a councillor, but had no involvement in this piece.
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