By Tate Papworth
Former Brimbank mayor John Hedditch has called for an independent investigation following the leaking in January of information surrounding a councillor conduct panel hearing.
In a letter to Star Weekly, Cr Hedditch said the local government councillor conduct panel’s dismissal of all 13 allegations of serious misconduct and misconduct against him, brought a “very damaging two-year process to a welcome end”.
But Cr Hedditch said he thought a thorough investigation into the leaking of confidential information was imperative.
“I believe the subsequent leaking of serious confidential and untested allegations to the local media requires a thorough, independent investigation,” he said. “Only a very small number of people had access to the information.
“The intent of those leaking these serious allegations to the media prior to the panel hearing was to publicly damage my reputation. That personal reputational damage has occurred despite the serious allegations being dismissed – mud sticks. It has impacted my family and I.
“As well, our very good council has taken an unnecessary reputational hit in recent front-page headlines.
“For Brimbank council to not now investigate and at least try to identify the source(s) of these highly damaging leaks is, in my opinion, to walk past them,” he said. “To walk past these behaviours is to accept them. Council in doing so could be seen to establish a ‘cultural totem pole’ that sends the wrong message about leaking confidential information. It could also deter good people from standing for Brimbank council at the next election in 2020. Brimbank needs the best possible candidates standing and winning elections.
“I agree with the mayor and fellow councillor’s sentiment about getting on with the priority business of council, but also believe we have to properly clean up the mess.
“Good, strong and principled governance practices really do matter and an independent investigation is needed.”
See Cr Hedditch’s full letter below.
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This Letter is sent in response to recent front page Star Weekly articles and a Brimbank Council Press Release. It contains my personal opinions and not those of Brimbank Council.
The Local Government Councillor Conduct Panel’s dismissal of all 13 allegations of serious misconduct and misconduct brings a very damaging two year process to a welcome end.
At a point in time during the Panel Hearing process there was:
· an external two person Councillor Conduct Panel appointed to hear a Joint Application by two Councillors under Local Government Act provisions as well as
· two active Arbitration cases established under the internal Brimbank Councillor Code of Conduct with separate Arbiters appointed.
All cases were running in parallel when none of the very serious allegations had been tested in any internal process.
The rework of internal disputes resolution processes is welcomed.
I contend this was not a dispute between two Councillors as other people were also involved.
I believe the subsequent leaking of serious Confidential and untested allegations to the local media requires a thorough, independent investigation. Only a very small number of people had access to the information.
The intent of those leaking these serious allegations to the media prior to the Panel Hearing was to publicly damage my reputation. That personal reputational damage has occurred despite the serious allegations being dismissed – mud sticks. It has impacted my family and I.
As well, our very good Council has taken an unnecessary reputational hit in recent front page headlines.
For Brimbank Council to not now investigate and at least try to identify the source(s) of these highly damaging leaks is in my opinion to walk past them.
To walk past these behaviours is to accept them. Council in doing so could be seen to establish a “cultural totem pole” that sends the wrong message about leaking Confidential information. It could also deter good people from standing for Brimbank Council at the next election in 2020.
Brimbank needs the best possible candidates standing and winning elections and in doing so forming excellent Councils.
Good, strong and principled governance practices really do matter and an independent investigation is needed.
I agree with the Mayor and fellow Councillor’s sentiment about getting on with the priority business of Council but also believe we have to properly clean up the mess and not walk past it.
John Hedditch
