“There were allegations of … councillor Ristevski goading the mayor, stating to him, ‘Let’s go into the councillor room and deal with this’, and also an allegation that he moved into the mayor’s personal space at one stage and was so close he stood on the mayor’s foot,” McDonald said.
McDonald said Ristevski’s use of social media posts had caused concern among council staff and councillors in January and February. Those posts had been subject to various code of conduct complaints, and had given rise to “issues about work health and safety” within the council.
Councillor Peter Ristevski returned as an independent at last year’s local government elections. Credit: Louise Kennerley
The inquiry heard council staff had by March received 67 complaints about councillors’ conduct since September – more than a dozen times the number of complaints in all of 2023-24. An updated report in June revealed that the number had since increased to 115 complaints.
McDonald said the inquiry would consider the “substantial” increase in code of conduct complaints, and whether they warranted the re-establishment of an internal ombudsman role at the council.
She said the probe would also consider the council’s appointment of 11 chief executive officers – six of whom were permanent roles and the remainder of which were acting positions – since late 2010.
“One is tempted to misquote Oscar Wilde: To lose one CEO may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two CEOs looks like carelessness; but to lose six permanent appointments over that period may be something else,” McDonald said.
A truck outside the Liverpool City Council building the day the interim report was released in July.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
The inquiry will also examine whether the council’s acquisition and sale of several properties was appropriate and aligned with its strategic plans. Among them is the $32.7 million purchase of a former bus depot site at 600 Cowpasture Road in the Len Waters Estate at Hoxton Park in 2022.
“We anticipate there will be evidence that from the first indication or raising of a possible purchase of this property, to a decision by council to purchase it, occurred very quickly,” McDonald said.
Also set to come under the spotlight is the council’s handling of six government grants under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program (formerly known as WestInvest) – which amounted to a combined $150 million. Those funds were granted for projects including the Brickmakers Creek to Woodward Park creek connection; Carnes Hill pool (also known as the Michael Clarke Recreation Centre); Lighthorse Park; and road upgrades to Macquarie Street, Railway Street and Scott Street.
Loading
The council’s lawyer, James Emmett, SC, said the organisation had an interest in trying to assist the inquiry to ensure it was not “left with an incomplete or lopsided picture of matters of concern”.
“No council employee has been notified that they are a person in respect of whom it is anticipated allegations of wrongdoing or improper conduct may be made, or adverse findings may be sought. Nevertheless, this public inquiry is itself a source of stress and anxiety for many council staff.”
The administrative inquiry, in front of Commissioner Ross Glover, will run for several weeks. Mannoun, Ristevski and Ajaka are among those due to give evidence.
Read the full article here
