NEWS DESK
Decades of decisions being checked Keith Platt keith@baysidenews.com.au MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire officers are “reviewing decisions” made over the past seven years involving three companies at the centre of investigations by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). However, the review involving hundreds of files will be extended back decades, if necessary, according to the mayor Cr Sam Hearn.
“We want to look at everything, not just back to an arbitrary date,” he said. “Three decades is quite a lot to look into and we want enough external involvement so it doesn’t just appear to be council looking at itself.” Cr Hearn said council “intends to make [the review findings] public” but could be asked to withhold information by IBAC or the police. The review by shire officers of any council decisions made involving Mornington-based Watsons Pty Ltd, Schutz Consulting Pty Ltd and
Wolfdene Built Pty Ltd announced in December followed three weeks of hearings by IBAC which revealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations being made to local councillors, MPs (Labor and Liberal) and political parties; bags of cash delivered to one councillor by a former mayor and state MP; and, the promise of a $100 million prize hanging on a minister’s stroke of a pen to allow rezoning of land. Watsons director John Woodman unsuccessfully stood for Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Briars Ward in
australiaday.org.au
The story of Australia Is the story of me It’s the story of you It’s the story of we
In parts it is painful In parts it is raw
In others it’s beautiful Inspiring great awe It tells of many people
From far and wide And those who’ve been here Since the beginning of time It brings us together And tears us apart
We all have our views So where do we start By listening to each other And sharing our part
We’re all part of the story.
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Frankston Times
21 January 2020
2012 and 2016. In the 2016 council election, Watsons donated $2489 to Briars Ward candidate, now councillor, Rosemary Clark. Cr David Gill said on Monday he would “make sure the review of permits goes way back … the results should be made public”. “If [the results of the shire’s investigations] go to IBAC they will be public, but I don’t want to compromise the IBAC inquiry,” he said. Cr Gill said the review was “a great opportunity for all councillors to see if anything should be investigated”.
“I’ve been concerned for a long time about the involvement of politicians, and planning ministers in particular [in making planning decisions]. It often comes down to a decision by one person, and who knows who’s been making donations to political parties?” The review will also look at councillors’ voting patterns and possible involvement of past shire officers Shire CEO John Baker said that due to “the extended time period” it would take “a number of weeks before the review is complete”.
Councillor’s suspension concludes Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au FRANKSTON councillor Steve Toms’ four month suspension has concluded. A councillor conduct panel upheld a bullying complaint against Cr Toms in September last year, and handed him a four month suspension. Cr Toms was found guilty of “serious misconduct” for allegedly bullying another Frankston councillor. The panel was asked to investigate an allegation that “Cr Toms had repeatedly behaved in an intimidating, offensive and disrespectful manner toward a fellow councillor (...) which adversely affected [their] health, and that these actions constituted the bullying of another councillor (“Councillor suspended after bullying allegation”, The Times, 9/9/19).” Cr Toms’ suspension finished on 5 January. In December last year, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal confirmed that they had received an application from Cr Toms appealing the finding of the panel. VCAT confirmed that they had scheduled a further directions hearing for 16 March 2020. Council elections are due in October of this year. FRANKSTON councillor Steve Toms. Picture: Supplied