Too often our elected leaders talk of accountability and yet fail when put to the test.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

They will deny, excuse, shift the blame or shoot the messenger.

Matthew Garwood has taught a lesson in how to avoid responsibility over the past week or so.

The colourful mayor of the state's largest council had his spending on a ratepayer-funded credit card drawn into question.

To put it simply, it does not come close to passing the pub test.

His immediate excuse for the thousands of dollars in expenditure made it all the worse.

"The cost of doing business," the mayor told us.

What kind of business did cocktails at 11am at the Launceston Airport bring to his community?

Why were $259 in steaks and trimmings needed to do business in Canberra? Surely a more reasonably priced parma (or parmi) would have done the job?

With our ballots in the post, Garwood tried to hose it all down with long videos on his socials.

One comment really oozed arrogance and ignorance.

Aiming at us - and other media - over our coverage, he reflected on public reaction.

"I don't think they're understanding or getting the hint that it's not going well for them," he said.

To be clear,........

© The Examiner