By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Councillor Conduct Panel has issued a finding of misconduct against Casey councillor Sam Aziz’s reference to fellow councillor Rafal Kaplon as a “parasitic mosquito” in an email.
The panel found the actions of Cr Aziz “constitute misconduct” and ordered him to provide a written apology to Cr Kaplon.
Cr Aziz, who has since apologised to Cr Kaplon, told Star News this week the matter was now resolved, saying the pair had a “professional” working relationship.
During Parliament in August, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan slammed Cr Aziz’s alleged comments, made in an email sent to councillors and executives.
“Recently, Cr Rafal Kaplon, who is from the gay community, was referred to by Sam Aziz as a ‘parasitic mosquito who thrives by spreading blood-borne viruses between otherwise healthy people’,” Mr Donnellan told the parliament.
“They are totally and utterly inappropriate comments from a councillor in the State of Victoria.”
Cr Aziz immediately hit back at Mr Donnellan, saying the Minister for Roads had taken his comments out of context.
“He’s made it look like I’m criticising Cr Kaplon for his sexual orientation – people’s sexual orientation is none of my business … ” Cr Aziz said.
