Lack of vision at the 'cost of our democracy'

Hawke's Bay Regional councillor Debbie Hewitt.

Hawke's Bay Regional councillor Debbie Hewitt's handling of her alleged conflict of interest is a "trammelling of democracy", says disaffected ratepayer Dr Trevor Le Lievre.

At yesterday's protest against the Ruataniwha scheme Dr Le Lievre said Mrs Hewitt's lack of vision towards the dam had been at the "cost of our democracy".

The political scientist said Mrs Hewitt was "just so blind to the dam" that she could not see it any other way.

"As a result of that you have got the trammelling of democracy," he said.

Mrs Hewitt was asked for comment yesterday however comment came from chairman Fenton Wilson to the questions posed to Mrs Hewitt.

Mr Wilson said the Auditor-General's ruling had provided clarity around the conflict of interest matter. Mrs Hewitt told council yesterday that on May 14 she applied to the Auditor-General for an exemption under the act to enable her to participate in a number of decisions made by the regional council about the proposed dam.

On June 28, the Auditor-General granted this exemption, which allows for Mrs Hewitt to discuss or vote on decisions about whether the conditions on council's $80 million dollar investment have been met for both council discussions and any of its committees. "This declaration will continue in effect until the next triennial elections of the council," she said, which is October 8 this year.