By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Local government peak-bodies have backed the imminent sacking of Casey councilors.
Victorian Local Governance Association’s president Cr Lambros Tapinos said the dismissal was “regrettable” but necessary.
Allegations against the council had raised “serious concerns” about its governance, Cr Tapinos said.
“Councillors are required to make decisions on behalf of their community with transparency and accountability.
“While the removal of the City of Casey councillors is regrettable because the community will be without elected representatives, it is, nonetheless, a necessary step in ensuring public confidence and trust remain integral to local government.”
The Municipal Association of Victoria described the move as a “last resort” and “the first step in the process of restoring community trust”.
Deputy president Cr Ruth Gstrein said the ongoing IBAC Operation Sandon corruption inquiry had “understandably shaken public confidence” in City of Casey due to the behaviour of “a small number of Casey councillors”.
“This behaviour is not representative of our local government sector and does not reflect community expectations of their council.
“The State Government’s decision, following the report of the independent monitor, is an opportunity for Casey Council to start the process of rebuilding trust with their community.”
LGPro, which represents local government professionals in Victoria, said it was unfair that council officers “bear the brunt of poor and inappropriate behaviour of elected officials”.
Council officers are “the people who live and breathe the brand each and every day”, LGPro president Liana Thompson said.
“These are the people who are doing wonderful work in the community, who are proud of what they do and who have built a culture of openness and transparency but by virtue of association, are tarred with the same brush.”
Ms Thompson looked forward to proposed “tougher checks and balances” as part of the Local Government Bill 2019.
Measures, such as mandatory training for councillors, would “improve performance and accountability” and “lessen the likelihood of unacceptable behaviour”.
She noted under the new Bill, the Local Government Minister could sack individual councillors rather than the entire council.
“This will ensure that all councillors are not made to suffer because of one bad apple.”
