Former Casey councillor Sam Aziz had a “reputation” for bullying and intimidation, CEO Glenn Patterson has told an IBAC inquiry.
Mr Aziz had been involved in “a number of incidents” – three of which had gone to a councillor conduct panel.
One of them was for bullying.
The incidents were “historical”, “at least three years ago” and before Mr Patterson arrived at Casey in September 2018, he told the hearing.
Mr Aziz “never presented to me in that way” but “had a reputation for that type of behaviour”, Mr Patterson said.
A tabled ‘confidential’ briefing paper by acting CEO Steve Dalton noted that complaints had been lodged against Mr Aziz’s “disrespectful” comments during public debate on the proposed 2018-19 budget.
Mr Dalton stated that he and the mayor spoke to Mr Aziz at the time.
Star News reported at the time on an exchange between Mr Aziz and Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association member Brendan Browne.
Mr Aziz called Mr Browne’s group Casey LIE for “throwing around untruth”.
“That stands also by the way (for) Losers in Exile.”
At another point, Mr Aziz interjected: “I’m actually elected by the people of Casey and you’re not, you’re just self-appointed.”
Mr Browne said: “I really do find it offensive the way you’ve spoken to me Councillor Aziz.”
In Mr Dalton’s paper, he reported Mr Aziz was being investigated for “inappropriate language” to members of the public at the end of a Casey planning committee meeting in August 2018.
A recent Casey Monitor’s report referred to bullying, exclusion, cliques and intimidation by councillors.
Mr Patterson told IBAC that he’d observed “very poor behaviour” between councillors during debate of the H3 Hall Road intersection proposal in September 2018.
He described “inappropriate and disrespectful personal attacks on some of the councillors”.
Though without any “real” recourse, Mr Patterson said he “coached” councillors on more appropriate behaviour on a “regular” basis.
“There was a significant improvement in council behaviour in the last 18 months.”
He didn’t witness other councillors calling out bad behaviour.
