By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek has described allegations of Casey councillor corruption as “concerning”.
Since 18 October, state anti-corruption body IBAC has conducted public examinations of alleged corrupt behaviour between Casey councillors and property developers.
At a sod-turn event at Officer on 25 November, Mr Somyurek said he would await IBAC’s findings before commenting on the seriousness of the allegations.
“It’s concerning that’s all I will say,” the minister said.
“There’s natural justice in this case… and let’s see what IBAC come back with.”
Mr Somyurek said that he would expect Casey Council “doesn’t drop the ball” and “continues to deliver good governance and services for the community” in the meantime.
He didn’t comment on whether the Government acted strongly enough on a State Ombudsman’s investigation into similar issues involving Casey councillors in 2015.
Ombudsman Deborah Glass recommended that the Government “consider” restrictions on donations to candidates and political parties from property developers.
In the report, Ms Glass referred to Mr Somyurek heading a parliamentary inquiry into political funding in 2009.
Mr Somurek, as chair of the Electoral Matters Committee at the time, said Victoria had a “relatively clean“ record for proven political-finance scandals.
The committee recommended to await Commonwealth reforms, rather than act alone as a state.
In the present IBAC inquiry, counsel assisting Michael Tovey has claimed that Casey councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett received about $1.2 million and were treated like “puppets” by property developer John Woodman and associated companies.
The payments may have corrupted or compromised Casey’s planning process, in particular the Amendment C219 rezoning in Cranbourne West, the H3 intersection in Hall Road, Cranbourne West, and the Pavilion Estate, Mr Tovey said.
The hearings are expected to run for three weeks.
