By Luke Voogt
The results of bullying investigations at City Hall last year prove the sacking of Geelong’s council was “political“, according to a former councillor.
Kylie Fisher said the State Labor Government used bullying allegations to target potential future Liberal candidates, such as former mayor Darryn Lyons.
“Now they’ll be discredited forever and known as the councillors who got the sack, along with myself,” said the former Corio Ward councillor.
“You shouldn’t have any (bullying) but four over 20 years is not a sackable offence.
“I’ve never been accused of bullying and I’ve never interviewed for it. I’ve always wanted to clear my name but there’s no for process for doing that.”
Ms Fisher was responding to last week’s Indy report that 12 months of state-ordered investigations had “substantiated“ four bullying incidents and “several” bullies at City Hall “over at least a decade”.
Mr Lyons last week blasted the results, saying they demonstrated that the Government’s justification for the sacking was “absolute b……t”.
Former Cheetham Ward councillor Rod Macdonald said the investigations were based on a workplace culture report “full of sweeping statements” and “very little supporting evidence”.
“I read the report from cover to cover and it was all pub talk,” said Mr Macdonald, a Labor party member.
“Never ask for a report unless you know how it’s going to turn out.”
Former Windermere Ward councillor Mr Ansett said the truth behind council’s sacking took a “long time to come out”.
“But the community’s not silly, they can see right through it.”
