By Brendan Rees
They choked back tears and patted each other on the back as they bid farewell for the final time – but there wasn’t a moment of remorse or apology, drawing the ire of ratepayers.
Casey Councillors gathered with downcast faces as they sat in the council chambers for their final public meeting on Tuesday 18 February – just hours after the State Government passed laws to sacking each one of them.
Police were in attendance patrolling Bunjil Place, while outside, Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association (CRRA) member Brendan held a sign above his head which read: “They just don’t get it! Please don’t come back in 2024”.
In front of the packed public gallery, Casey mayor Susan Serey spoke of council’s achievements but maintained there was “no concrete evidence of underperformers”.
“I’m the youngest mayor to serve the City of Casey and as a councillor for the past seven years I would like to thank the Edrington Ward for their continued confidence in me. I’m deeply honoured to have served our amazing community,” Cr Serey said, fighting back tears.
“I wanted to thank Casey’s community, organisations, businesses and volunteers for their timeless work in our community”.
Casey deputy mayor Gary Rowe described the monitor’s report – which found clear evidence of significant governance failures at the council – as “bland” and “none of them qualified jumping the barrier for dismissal of council”.
A resident from the gallery hurled abuse as Cr Rowe finished his speech, shouting: “It’s a bit late”.
“Have some respect!” a woman shouted back.
Cr Amanda Stapledon reflected on her time with council “with a great sense of gratitude”
“It is with great sadness that we are no longer going to be councillors,” the former three-time Casey mayor said.
Cr Rosalie Crestani thanked her family, fellow councillors and council officers, and the community “for their unbending support and faith” before reading from the Bible.
Embattled sacked councillor Geoff Ablett, a former Hawthorn premiership player, said it had been a “very frustrating and an emotional and draining time for me” but thanked the galley for their “good behaviour” in allowing him to speak.
“Nothing would’ve in my mind resulted in the actions that were taken today,” Cr Ablett said, who is one of the key figures in the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission inquiry.
“It’s not easy being in a public interviewing situation … I’ve cooperated fully as other councillors who are yet to come, will as well,” he said.
“Nothing deserved the outcome that we got to today”.
Cr Damien Rosario addressed the crowd from a podium saying he didn’t wish to resign because he wanted to stay “until the end” to “honour my oath” in serving the city.
“I choose to do that. We choose to do that. That’s why these people are still here – not because we want to hold onto the title of councillor for as long as we can, that is meaningless to us,” Cr Rosario said.
“We will stay until the end to serve you,” he told the gallery.
To conclude, Cr Wayne Smith listed his achievements, saying his was “very proud and honoured” to serve with council during his near 30-year term.
His speech was interrupted by a discontent resident who shouted: “You haven’t done you job!”
Part of the gallery gave a standing ovation before erupting into three cheers while others shouted out the shortcomings of councillors.
Rex Flannery, who resigned as councillor days earlier, was present in the gallery, saying after the meeting “the people have spoken”.
“Has council affected me? Have I been tarnished? Doesn’t bother me,” he said, adding he hoped to be able to put his hand up as councillor in four years.
CRRA spokesman Brendan Browne said he was baffled as to why councillors spent “an hour of congratulations” at the meeting without a single apology.
“They just don’t get that they haven’t done their job. The monitor’s report spells it out,” Mr Browne said.
He added: “They don’t hold each other to account”.
Former Casey mayor Rob Wilson said the dismissal was “something that had to happen” and took aim at councillors for showing no “hint of remorse or apology”.
“There were no expressions of contriteness, no sorry, no admission of guilt: ‘We’re sorry that we didn’t notice things happen and get things cleaned up’,” Mr Wilson said.
Mr Wilson did however acknowledge the achievements of councillors and Cr Stapledon who supported him in launching his two books.
Councillors Sam Aziz and Milla Gilic were absent on the night.
