By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Despite the unfolding corruption allegations at IBAC, there’s no apologies from Casey Council.
Chief executive Glenn Patterson told Star News he made the “distinction” between council officers’ propriety so far upheld at the Operation Sandon inquiry and “some councillors”.
“It’s clear that there’s no current or past officers of the council that are subject to any sort of allegations in relation to the matters being discussed and aired at IBAC.
“It relates really to some councillors and some external parties.”
Mr Patterson also defended councillors for an observed lack of remorse at their swansong council meeting on 18 February.
“I don’t think it’s my role to indicate what councillors should have done at that last council meeting.
“It was a highly emotional time for them. Many of those councillors had contributed a lot to the community over an extended period of time.
“Their focus was to acknowledge what they saw as their individual and collective achievements.”
Mr Patterson said the propriety of council’s planning staff had been demonstrated at IBAC.
“Despite the coercive powers of IBAC that there’s been no findings of wrongdoing or improper conduct by a member of staff.
“In fact quite the opposite.
“So the hearings have reinforced the fact that planners and the city planning staff consistently provided frank and fearless advice, and impartially provided advice to councillors over an extended period of time.”
