Complaining MP called for a cuppa

CASEY councillors have put the kettle back on more than a year after inviting a local MP to discuss allegations he made about the council.
In July 2011, Casey councillors voted to invite Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan to meet over a coffee and address their concerns after he told the media that councillors were misspending ratepayers’ money.
Mr Donnellan did not accept the invitation.
Last week, council moved another motion by Cr Sam Aziz to write to Mr Donnellan again and invite him over for a cuppa to discuss his is “misconception about the City of Casey and its council, and various enormous statements made to the media which have the potential to unfairly cast the council in an unfavourable light”.
Council sent the letter on 5 December.
Cr Aziz said he was motivated to make the request after recent comments made by Mr Donnellan about the council.
“What sparked this was all the rubbish he spoke about in Parliament under parliamentary privilege where he made a number of statements which were quite erroneous and accused people of being dummy candidates (in the recent elections),” Cr Aziz said.
“These people were running to make a difference to the community.
“I think he’s upset because all the councillors he claimed (he could work with) are now gone.”
Cr Aziz said the council worked well with other local state and federal MPs and hoped that by meeting with Mr Donnellan, the council could create a good working relationship.
“He is constantly out there criticising council and this city at every opportunity despite the fact we extended a hand of friendship to him on several instances.”
Cr Mick Morland was the only councillor to vote against the motion, stating he thought it was a “waste of time”.
Mr Donnallen did not respond to requests made by the News before it went to print.