Call for ‘damaging’ findings to go public

Hamish Heard
State Government has swept damaging allegations in an Ombudsman’s report on Geelong’s cash-for-councillors scandal under the carpet until after next week’s elections, local politicians said yesterday.
Labor Federal Member for Corio Gavan O’Connor and councillor Barbara Abley wanted the report public before the election and Geelong’s mayoral vote next month.
They rejected a statement from the Ombudsman’s spokesperson that the report was not complete.
Both said independent sources had told them a draft had already been leaked to State Government and the opposition.
The Ombudsman began investigating councillors early this year after complaints they had not declared donations from developers before the 2004 council elections when voting on donors’ projects.
ALP staffer and Corio councillor David Saunderson is awaiting a court appearance for allegedly failing to declare gifts after a municipal investigator’s report found he had improperly accepted campaign donations.
Cr Abley said a “well-placed” source had told her the report was complete at least a month before parliament went into recess ahead of the election.
“It has been suggested to me that there was a political decision not to muddy the waters before the election,” she said.
“I understand that unfavourable findings detailed in the report could affect (the election’s) outcome.”
Mr O’Connor said a separate source had also told him the report was complete months ago.
“It’s important the air is cleared for the benefit of councillors and the general public as quickly as possible on serious allegations involving the City’s planning processes so that public confidence can be restored at City Hall.
“These matters are vitally important to the Geelong community and they must not be swept under the carpet whether it’s by the Government or the opposition, especially when councillors are about to vote on the city’s highest leadership position.”
A spokesperson denied the Bracks Government was aware of the report’s findings,” he said.
“Ombudsman’s reports are not prepared for ministers, they are prepared for the parliament,” he said.