Any Geelong councillors investigated for alleged bullying before their sacking in April will go straight back under investigation if they return at October’s elections, a state MP has warned.
Christine Couzens raised the investigation risk after a series of the sacked councillors declared they would stand again and others refused to rule out another run for council.
Former mayor Darryn Lyons was the latest to raise expectations he could nominate, this week declining on local radio to rule out another run for council.
Sacked councillors Eddy Kontelj, Ron Nelson, Tony Ansett, John Irvine and Peter Murrihy have decaled they will be candidates, while others except Kylie Fisher have yet to rule out nominating.
The Andrews Government sacked the 13-member council last year amid allegations of a bullying culture at City Hall.
A panel investigation potentially reaching back more than 20 years has so far confirmed four bullying incidents, leading to the departure of “several” staff from City Hall.
Ms Couzens, Labor’s Geelong MP, said she was unsure how many councillors faced bullying allegations but any investigations would have ceased after they were sacked.
“Former sacked councillors can stand at the council election in October this year. However, I’m sure the people of Geelong will cast their vote taking into consideration who the candidates are and their past history,” Ms Couzens said.
“It is also worth noting that those past councillors who were under investigation prior to their dismissal will if they win automatically be under investigation again.”
Geelong needed “good, strong councillors” to continue the “positive work” of the three administrators the Andrews Government appointed in their place, Ms Couzens said.
The new councillors must ensure that Geelong’s ongoing revitalisation achieved the best outcomes for the city, “something the previous council did not have the ability to do”, she said.
“If you look at Geelong right now there are cranes in the sky and many projects underway right across the city.
“This is not as a result of the previous council, although some are attempting to claim glory for this.
“It is due to the fact they are not in office.”
Ms Couzens comments followed Mr Lyons discussing his re-election prospects on 94.7 The Pulse this week.
“I never say never to anything. I would say at the moment (that) it’s a real wait-and-see,” he told the station.
“My burning passion for the Geelong community is brighter than ever and I have a tremendous amount of unfinished business.
“I should be allowed to finish off the journey that I started.”
