Australian councillors to be breath tested before meetings

A new workplace drug and alcohol policy in Australia may soon apply to councillors as well as to staff.

Council staff in Cessnock, New South Wales have to undergo drug and alcohol tests; however, councillors are not currently being tested. Liberal councillor Bryce Gibson has called for the testing policy to apply to councillors “as soon as possible” to avoid complaints that the system is unfair.

Councillors should be model citizens

Bryce Gibson said that councillors should be “model citizens” and should not abuse drugs or alcohol, especially in the workplace. Those who arrive at meetings after having a drink should be treated in the same way as staff members who are caught drinking during business hours.

“If we’re going to be making decisions for the community, we should be sober and clear-headed before any meeting,” said Councillor Ian Olsen.

Councillor Olsen, an independent, made a call for a new drug and alcohol policy for councillors; however, the proposal was defeated by Labor.

Councillor Hawkins has raised concerns that the process could become a “political football”. He highlighted that he was “still known as the drunk councillor” after being at the receiving end of some “baseless accusations” in 2010. He admitted drinking two beers before a meeting, but certainly was not drunk.

A zero tolerance policy and breath tests before meetings would be the only way to ensure that no councillors are drinking on the job; however, Councillor Hawkins is more concerned about the way malicious complaints are handled.

Few voters would disapprove of a zero tolerance policy to drug and alcohol use in council buildings.