Cranbourne Star News - 06th February 2020

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CRANBOURNE

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Thursday, 6 February, 2020

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Wife killer jailed PAGE 3

School goes into lockdown

Riley’s footy journey continues

PAGE 5

SPORT

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Property Lift out

Preps thrive on first day By Brendan Rees Excited little faces have walked through the gates of Cranbourne Primary School for the first time. About 35 preps embarked on their first day of school including five-year-olds Ivy, Thapelo, and Zion (pictured) who gathered for a group hug while taking part in a range of fun games on Monday 3 February. Assistant principal Di Fernand said despite some nerves among parents and pupils, the day went "quite smoothly" with the school welcoming new families to its multicultural community.

Preppies Ivy, Thapelo, and Zion embrace their first day of school. 203860 Picture: ROB CAREW

Sam strikes back By Brendan Rees A key figure in an IBAC corruption investigation and a former Casey mayor has taken aim at his fellow councillors after they reluctantly granted a request for extended paid leave. At a public council meeting on Tuesday 4 February, councillors voted for embattled councillor Sam Aziz a leave of absence until 31 March citing medical grounds. Cr Aziz is one of the keys players in the Casey land scandal where it's alleged he pocketed hundreds of thousands of dollars from a developer in exchange for favourable planning decisions. Cr Aziz made a dash to Egypt last Novem-

ber before the Independent Broad-based Anticorruption Commission (IBAC) conducted its hearings. Casey mayor Susan Serey said at the meeting the decision to grant Cr Aziz had "not been made lightly," and "the situation is less than ideal". She said council was bound by their obligations under the Local Government Act, which fell "far short from what I know our community expects. "Councillors around the table feel the same way," Cr Serey said. "Having considered the medical advice provided by Cr Aziz in support of his application, as well as the legal advice which has re-

iterated our obligation to not unreasonably refuse leave, believe we had no alternative to do otherwise. "I want to stress that my councillor colleagues sitting around this table wouldn't have voted for this motion unless it had potentially other serious legal implications for the city of Casey and its ratepayers," Cr Serey said. In a Facebook message, Cr Aziz hit back at the mayor, labelling her statement as "denigrating". "Tonight council approved a further leave of absence for me after I submitted a detailed medical report explaining why I am not able to return to duty at this stage," Cr Aziz's statement said.

"That was a report and not just a 'medical certificate'. "I have remained deliberately silent since this ordeal started in November last year, in what has become a media circus, and a savage feeding frenzy by certain fringe groups and keyboard warriors, who have always had an axe to grind," his statement read. "It appears that sober and fair assessment has completely gone out the window, despite the undeniable success of the City of Casey, and our obvious record in delivering world class infrastructure and excellent services for our residents, supported by a very efficient and financially lean administration". Continued page 3

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