By Luke Voogt
City Hall has refused to reveal how many of Geelong’s sacked councillors were alleged bullies despite an MP’s warning that investigations will resume if any are re-elected.
The Indy asked for the figures after reporting Christine Couzens’ threat last month but complaint review panel chair Susan Halliday rejected the request, citing “privacy”.
“It is inappropriate for me to comment on the specific activities of the complaint review panel,” she said.
The Indy did not seek names, only figures such as the number of sacked councillors with bullying complaints and how many were either resolved or unresolved at the time of the sacking.
The Indy also asked for the number of complaints against members of previous councils, given the potential 20-year scope of the panel’s investigations.
Ms Halliday’s 2015 report that led to the sacking said some councillors “bully people” and that “a number” were “repeatedly identified as people who caused certain employees and external parties concern”.
Ms Couzens, Labor’s Geelong MP, told the Indy last month that any unresolved investigations of councillors prior to their sacking would “automatically” resume if they won re-election in October.
“I’m sure the people of Geelong will cast their vote taking into consideration who the candidates are and their past history,” she said.
Western Victoria MP Simon Ramsay called on the Andrews government to release the names of people identified in the Halliday Report.
“I ask this to protect the good name and reputation of those councillors not implicated as bullies,” he told parliament.
The government had a responsibility make Geelong residents aware of any “suggestion of poor conduct”, he told the Indy later.
“The community has a right to know if there are councillors recontesting that would go under investigation if (elected).”
The sacking had already “smeared” and “pointed the finger” at the dismissed councillors and former mayor Darryn Lyons, he added.
Mr Ramsay said only the State Government could name any of the alleged bullies, using parliamentary privilege.
Sacked councillor Eddy Kontelj had “no problem” with naming and shaming alleged council bullies.
“If that’s what the community feels is required I’ve got no issue with that,” he said.
Mr Kontelj is one of five sacked councillors so far who have publically declared their intent to run for office.
“I was certainly not investigated.”
