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Camden Council has decided against live streaming its meetings online. But it will investigate alternative ways to allow people greater access to council meetings. The decision divided councillors and created heated debate. Councillors against the proposal said the costs involved and the risk of defamation action were too high to support live streaming meetings. Camden mayor Lara Symkowiak said live streaming would “stifle debate.” “It will affect public speakers who don’t want to be on camera and I think less questions will be answered by council staff,” she said. “We are not protected by the same parliamentary privilege as state and federal [government] are so anything said on the live stream could be seen as proof and we could personally be sued. “I am talking about comments made accidentally or unintentionally... and I don’t want to lose my house or my business because of defamation action.” Councillor Paul Farrow said meetings should be live streamed to increase transparency. “The council meeting minutes posted on the website only reflect the outcomes of our decisions not the flavour of debate,” he said. “I think people deserve to see elected officials in action to see how they represent their community. “Live streaming is a vital part of that.” Council staff estimated that the cost of installing and operating the camera system would be $85,000 in the first year and the yearly running cost would be $25,000. Councillor Ashleigh Cagney said live streaming would allow people to have greater access to meetings regardless of the costs involved. “The financial implications involved with live streaming and the number of viewers shouldn’t be considered in my view,” she said. “I don’t care if one or one hundred people watch it.” Cr Cagney suggested council should investigate alternative ways for people to come to meetings. “It was suggested to me by a resident that we could have a council bus,” she said. “That way residents with mobility issues or those who can’t drive can call and book in to be picked up and brought to meetings. “It would make council meetings more accessible for people in these circumstances.” All councillors agreed. Council staff will now investigate the use of a courtesy bus along with other alternatives to help people access meetings.

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