By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey councillors will continue to meet tonight (18 February) despite State Parliamentarians voting for their sacking.
Casey mayor Susan Serey said she was “at a loss” at why the State Government decided to replace the councillors with administrators.
“I am at a loss to see why and how the State Government can justify their decision when we have cooperated fully with any investigations while clearly demonstrating that we have been able to govern and meet our responsibilities under the Act.”
The Government acted after tabling a damning report by State-appointed Monitor, Laurinda Gardner, that found “significant governance failures” and bullying among councillors.
She recommended sacking the council and keeping administrators in place beyond the 2020 council elections.
A Bill for Casey councillors’ dismissal until October 2024 passed through both Houses of State Parliament on the same day, with the backing of the State Opposition.
Cr Serey said councillors had co-operated fully with an IBAC inquiry and the Monitor while fulfilling their duties under the Local Government Act.
“Councillors have done everything possible to remain a high performing Council that continues to make decisions in the interests of our communities.”
She noted Casey rated among the highest community satisfaction rates.
It had sought to establish a Special Planning Committee to ensure “greater transparency” in decision making during IBAC’s deliberations, she said.
The Committee was targeted by Ms Gardner as an “example of poor process and little regard for the community”.
“The establishment of the Special Committee indicates a willingness to pass responsibility onto another body rather than taking up the challenge of demonstrating how they can govern well, and restore community trust and confidence.”
Cr Serey said the Monitor’s report showed there was “effective governance” in Casey. The “many issues” identified were “common to most councils,” Cr Serey said.
They may be improved by “systemic changes to the local government sector as a whole”, she said.
“It is regrettable that the Monitor seems to have based her recommendations on a period of time prior to her appointment and that her observations are not, in several instances, substantiated by relevant evidence.”
Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek said the Government would move quickly to appoint an interim administrator as soon as the Bill is given Royal Assent.
A full panel of administrators would be later appointed.
“We did not take this decision lightly – the monitor found serious failures at Casey City Council and we acted swiftly to protect residents and ratepayers,” Mr Somyurek said.
“We will now work towards rebuilding the council so it can provide the first-class services and representation the local community deserves.”
