By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
The State Government leaked its own report of an inquiry into Geelong’s council, according to South Barwon MP Andrew Katos.
“The only people to have a copy are the minister and the commissioners. The opposition doesn’t, the City of Greater Geelong doesn’t,” Mr Katos said.
“It is disturbing that the government is leaking its own report to a media outlet.
“The process needs to have integrity. These are serious matters and yet the government’s acting quite flippantly.”
The Government-initiated Commission of Inquiry finished last week, with the report handed to Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins on 31 March.
Media reports two days later said the key recommendation was to sack the entire Geelong council.
Mr Katos said the inquiry report was aimed at discrediting Mayor Darryn Lyons in case he stood as a Liberal or independent candidate for Labor’s federal seat of Corio.
The leak disrespected the commissioners, Mr Katos said.
“Who leaked the report? It needs to be investigated,” Mr Katos said.
“If a minister of the Crown leaked the report, those questions need to be answered.
“If a government minister is found to have leaked the report then they should fall on their sword. It is completely inappropriate and not becoming of minister of the Crown.”
Mr Katos said targeting the entire council meant innocent councillors were “being dragged through the mud”.
He said councillors entangled in the saga deserved an opportunity to defend themselves.
Mr Katos expected the report to be tabled in parliament next Tuesday.
Deakin ward councillor Ron Nelson said he was extremely disappointed that state government would leak the report for its own political expediency.
“I am being tarred by the same brush as others in the organisation. This makes me look like a bully and I’m not.
“State government has the power to suspend any councillor that is found to be a bully and it should use that power rather than dismiss the whole council.”
Cr Nelson said only two commissioners turned up to his interview and in 50 minutes was not asked one question about bullying.
“We should be judged on our merits and the people should decide if I am fit for council and that’s at an election,” Cr Nelson said.
“I stand by my commitment to my community. Getting rid of good people trying to do the right thing by the community serves no purpose.”
Cr Nelson said replacing councillors with commissioners would reduce ratepayer representation.
Ms Hutchins said the Government wanted to deal with the issues as quickly as possible “in the best interests of Geelong”.
“The details of the commission’s report and the State Government’s response will be made public when the report is tabled in parliament,” she told the Indy.
“This is about ensuring the council is set up to prevent the culture of bullying highlighted by the Halliday report never happens again.”
