Responding to a show-cause notice from Local Government Minister Tony Simpson, the council rejected many of the claims in a 30-page report compiled by Department of Local Government officers, including that president Matthew Reid signed purchase orders for a report into the Shire's former chief executive and taped councillors without their knowledge.
In its response to Mr Simpson, the Shire said it was "very disappointed and concerned" by inaccuracies and "unsubstantiated allegations" in the department-authored report.
It said the appropriate way to address the issues back to 2004 would be for "an inquiry panel with the powers of a royal commission" to investigate. The Shire also proposed a training program for the council as an alternative to suspending it.
Mr Reid said the report Mr Simpson had relied on to issue the show-cause notice contained matters that were "palpably . . . false and misleading", including allegations he had signed purchase orders.
"As expressed in the tabled council response to the show-cause notice it is council's view the full weight of the law should be brought to bear on the author or authors of the report given to Minister Simpson," he said.
Mr Simpson said he would review the documents and make a decision about whether to suspend the Shire for six months.
Bet there is a fair whack of lobby meetings taking place behind the scenes.
ReplyDeleteActually there isn't............. Its just business as usual and reviewing the trite that was sent.....
ReplyDeleteTrite!!!!! That sounds like one of the DLG officers. Very cooky with the stitch up.
ReplyDeleteI suspect the comment may have come from Ray Hooper or one of acolytes.
DeleteEx Minister Castriillii 'looked after' Ray, Tony and Pat and ignored letters of concern from York residents. Casrillii believed the propaganda. Castrilli has gone and a different person is at the helm.
The media seem to be taking a little more interest in what is happening here. Perhaps they have got whiff of a big story!
If normal procedures have been followed, the Minister would have sent a 'Ministerial file' to the DG of the DLG. Basically this covers his back because it puts it all in the lap of the DG to provide the information and answers. None of the Public Servants in the DLG know what evidence the Ministers office may have received (and withheld) in the letters residents wrote. Any Public Servant who values their job does not mess with, or fudge, a Ministerial File.
The truth is going to come out.
I sincerely thank the person who is running this blog site because it allows residents to keep the pressure on those responsible for the bully tactics.
IF the DLG "investigators" got the simple purchase order signing wrong it shows just how incompetent they are and makes its time line probity audit worthless. If not incompetent and instead deliberate that becomes CCC focus. Simpson is sitting on a time bomb triggered by his DG.
ReplyDeleteThe DLG public servants (I choose not to refer to them as 'investigators' , it makes them appear important and gives them false power ) who compiled the 35 page time line document to the Minister will be scrambling to find someone to blame.
DeleteThese DLG Public Servants somehow picked up delusions of grandeur and added a title to intimidate people.
Why include a statement that RH has sought legal advice? Who gives a toss what RH does. Was this included to scare people? At least he wont be able to put in on the corporate credit card!.
The whole time line document should be dismissed on the grounds proof has been provided to the Minister that false (deliberate?) or misleading (deliberate?) information was included.
Tony you might like to re write your resignation. You were so anxious to appear 'squeaky clean' and 'innocent' you let the cat out of the bag. Fancy including something from the 35 time line BEFORE it was received by the Shire President. Guess you must have had a hand in providing the information to the Minister.