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The Macquarie Dictionary defines confidential as 'spoken or written in confidence; secret', 'imparting private matters', 'entrusted with secrets or private affairs'.
But in some cases it all comes down to who you know.
Council papers used in closed council - what's meant to be a confidential part of the session - are being released.
Generally, matters in closed council have been confidential. It's where council and council staff discuss sensitive information.
However, a very public Facebook post by the former mayor says he has had the "privilege" of reading a report that was before council in the confidential section of Monday night's meeting.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
When Ben Shields stepped down as a mayor and councillor he became a ratepayer, just like the rest of us.
So why is he now privileged to read that report, and other ratepayers are not?
Why should there be a confidential section at all?
We haven't seen the report so how do we know what he is saying is true?
What was said at the meeting on Monday night, in a carefully worded statement by the mayor, gave us some different information, and clarified the point of the investigation.
And the CEO said disclosing the information from within the investigation was against the recommendations of the investigator. It went against both the code of conduct and the Local Government Act.
We asked the question of council, and were told the report should not have been seen by any ratepayers.
Councillors are seeking legal advice as to what, if anything, can be released.
Why then has this ratepayer been allowed to read, and comment, on this document?
Mr Shields has said the investigation "found no wrongdoings" by him ... is that the truth? or is it spin? Were there wrongdoings by someone else?
Shouldn't we all be entitled to know?
Because at the end of the day, clearly anything that goes before that part of the meeting isn't really 'confidential' anymore. It's just about who you know.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor using the form below, or email lynn.rayner@dailyliberal.com.au.