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Recently the Monash Ratepayers Association had cause to write to the Minister for Local Government, Candy Broad requesting that she initiate an immediate investigation of the conduct of Monash Council.
This letter was sent on the 31st August. Regrettably, at the time of writing, no response has been received. Not even an acknowledgement that the letter has been received by the Minister’s office.
In the interests of keeping the residents and ratepayers of the City of Monash informed, the MRA believes it in the best interests to include the letter on our website. (See following letter)
Monash Ratepayers Association Inc.
A00270067M
PO Box 1057, Huntingdale. 3166.
31 August 2005
To the Honorable,
The Minister for Local Government
Ms. Candy Broad MLC
Parliament House
Spring Street
MELBOURNE
VICTORIA 3000
Dear Minister,
Re: Disturbances in Monash City Council
After much thought and reflection, I thought it proper to write to you as the Minister responsible to express our Association’s concern at the recent dramas that have engulfed the Councillors and Council of the City of Monash.
From reading the recent press (copy of only one of several articles which I enclose for your information) it would seem that our Councillors are locked in a serious ‘civil war’ with themselves, and have been for some time. Only in recent times has this breakdown spilt out in the public arena. It would seem from the reports of the local press, that Councillors have been involved in vilifying, threatening and intimidating a Councillor who has refused to sacrifice her independence to decide matters before Council.
The Councillors involved are the current Mayor, Councillor Steven Dimopoulos, former Mayors, Councillors Banerji, Lake (the MAV President) and Councillor Solity. Indeed, on occasions when I have attended the ordinary meetings of Monash Council, the public intimidation of Cr. Solity by her colleagues has been very open. Cr. Solity is rarely allowed to freely express her opinions on matters of public interest and when she tries to do so, the Mayor, Councillor Dimopoulos interjects and attempts a very public intimidation of this hapless Councillor, which often results in her being forced to leave the Council Chambers.
This display of intimidation and contempt among Councillors towards one of their own, just because she sees matters differently, or wishes to express an alternative view is not an isolated incident with this Council. It is indeed, I fear to say, a culture with the present ruling ‘elite’ of Councillors. In particular, Councillor Lake, the current MAV President is at the centre of events and is experienced in such ‘bullying” tactics. I remind the Minister that in 2002, this Councillor faced an Equal Opportunity Board action by his then Council colleague, Cr. Kathy Magee (Wellington Ward) for using language that was ‘threatening’ and ‘demeaning’ to ‘women’. Councillor Lake was forced to make a public apology both in public and on the public record for his actions.
If that was not enough, in 2003, the same Councillor (Lake) was the subject of an intervention order in the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court taken out against him by former Councillor Tom Morrissey (Damper Ward) to stop Lake from threatening, intimidating and stalking him at his home and business premises. Again, Councillor Lake, signed an undertaking agreeing not to act in an inappropriate manner and to resist any temptation to create issues with former Councillor Morrissey or any of his employees and family members in future.
The Minister should initiate an immediate investigation of this Council. But if an investigation is a difficult matter for the Minister, she should at least dispatch a Local Government investigator to explore what is actually going on in this Council and to make some sound recommendations in order to destroy this counterproductive ‘culture’ which is costing the ratepayers and residents of Monash.
We note, that the Minister did not withdraw from her responsibilities when it came to dealing with issues which engulfed the City of Glen Eira and it is hoped that the Minister would consider the same forthright action in matters concerning our City of Monash.
Yours Faithfully,
President, MONASH RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION INC.
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