City probe over leak

Andrew Mathieson
CITY of Greater Geelong has called for an investigation into alleged breaches of procedue in the appointment of its new chief executive.
Candidates for the vacant position were leaked to the media, breaking council confidentiality agreements.
Mayor John Mitchell has written to Local Government Victoria to request that a municipal inspector investigate whether the leak breached the City’s internal processes.
A sub-committee of five Geelong councillors – comprising the mayor, Rod Macdonald, Andy Richards, Jan Farrell and Stretch Kontelj – was appointed to a sub-committee to determine the City’s next boss.
Some councillors had squabbled over having a say on the make-up of the sub-committee in the lead-up to its formation, with council factions arguing for a political balance.
Geelong councillor Andrew Katos said leaking the names was a “breach of procedure and protocols”.
“These individuals (the candidates) were more than likely employed elsewhere and they’ve applied in good faith in a confidential process,” he said.
“It shouldn’t have happened and it’s highly inappropriate.”
The sub-committee was considering four candidates before the name of Launceston City general manager Frank Dixon was leaked to the media.
Cr Katos said council must be “open and transparent” with the investigation.
“It should be investigated, just to restore that confidence,” he said.
“We want to be pro-active and show that we as a council do not want to tolerate these sorts of breaches of behaviour.”
Cr Katos believed that the investigation call demonstrated that the City was serious about stamping out negative public perceptions.
Geelong’s previous council had been investigated over the cash-for-council scandal and for allegations related to planning issues.
Cr Katos said the leaking of the names “corrupted the processes” of hiring the new City chief, although he still backed appointee Stephen Griffin.
“What (the leaking) does is tarnish our reputation at the City,” Cr Katos said.
“We really need to show that we are serious about finding out what’s happened here.”
Mr Griffin was appointed this month after holding the City’s corporate services general manager’s role.
He was appointed amid controversy over the City sacking council workers for accepting steak sandwiches for carrying out unauthorised repairs of potholes at Leopold Sportsman’s Club.