E VOIC YOUR
0Y FOR 15 EARS
2 November 2015
A Star News Group Publication
Gerry’s big break
Shooting star Sara set to shine
Property liftout
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Monday, 2 Novemb er
AF FO RD AB LE
RE N O VATE D PAGE 2
2015
HO M E
Cash gift probe By CASEY NEILL
In Dandy, it’s truly the world game A SOCCER team won’t get far without soccer balls and a goal net. So Rotarians have come to the rescue of a volunteer-run Sudanese youth team in Dandenong. Paul Jambi, 17 months, was eager to put the new balls through their paces. See page 50 for the full story. 145888 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Peter Brown. 139982 Cr Brown told the meeting he had “six verifiable documents from a range of sources” about Cr Heang Tak, although would not elaborate on their content or what he alleged Cr Tak had done wrong. He later confirmed he had also provided them to the inspectorate. Sonia Heath from the Department of Premier and Cabinet confirmed the inspectorate was examining the complaints. After the meeting Cr Brown said his desire to be the next Greater Dandenong mayor had not motivated his decision to make the accusations. “It has caused me a lot of heartache for months,” he said. Cr Brown phrased his allegations as a question to Cr Chea, which Cr Chea opted to take on notice and respond to at a later date. He told the Journal that Cr Brown’s allegations were baseless and his behaviour was unacceptable. Continued on Page 3
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gifts “SUBSTANTIAL of cash” have been given to a Greater Dandenong councillor without being declared, a fellow councillor has alleged. Councillor Peter Brown claimed at the Monday 26 October council meeting that he had uncovered documents showing his colleague Youhorn Chea had received money from Springvale Asian Business Association (SABA) committee members. Cr Brown also highlighted Cr Chea’s involvement earlier this year in opposing council plans for parking meters in Springvale - alongside SABA. “He should have declared a conflict of interest,” Cr Brown said. He said “scurrilous accusations“ from SABA against the council regarding the parking meter project had prompted him to start “investigating” several months ago. “Our officers were unable to defend themselves,” he said. He said Cr Chea should have defended the council but instead sided with SABA and, through the Journal, threatened to withdraw his support for Mayor Sean O’Reilly at the next local government election after the mayor defended the meters. Cr Brown told the meeting that the documentation he had uncovered was “incontrovertible”. He later said the documents had been provided to the local government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate.