LEGAL advice provided to Wodonga Council as part of a push to ban circuses with exotic animals using ratepayer-owned land has cautioned the use of Wikipedia and making policy on the run.
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In response to the uncertainty, a rescission motion was lodged against the ban to end doubt over the race meeting going ahead.
Online research tool Wikipedia was used in drafting the report to council in a move panned by Kell Moore.
“The officer’s report presented to the meeting on 19 November 2018 relied upon Wikipedia for its definitions,” the legal advice states.
“With respect to the authors of the report, Wikipedia is easily amended or adapted by users of the internet and in those circumstances is not a reliable or recognised resource.
“Whilst the adoption of dictionary definitions is another approach commonly utilised in circumstances such as this, it is often the case that subtle differences in dictionary definitions can also lead to unintended consequences.”
Kell Moore also strongly cautioned against attempting “policy on the run”.
“We note that exhibition of draft policies is considered to be good practice in the interests of both transparency and probity,” the advice states.
“In the present instance we recommend that council adopt this approach, rather than merely relying upon a resolution of council and the creation of ‘policy on the run’.”
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