Independent Commission Against Corruption provides Playford Council with draft findings
Playford Council has met behind closed doors to discuss a draft report into its operations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
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A report into Playford Council by the Independent Commission Against Corruption will be publicly released within weeks.
Elected members met behind closed doors on Tuesday night to discuss a draft of the report, which details the findings of an evaluation by ICAC.
Councillors voted to move into confidentiality to ensure they observed legislation controlling the activities of ICAC.
They were advised by staff that they should discuss the report in private because it had to remain confidential until it was released by ICAC Commissioner Bruce Lander QC.
Asked for comment, Mr Lander said the draft report — written by his deputy Michael Riches — was likely to be tabled in State Parliament early next month.
Mr Lander said the draft had been provided to Playford Council “as a matter of procedural fairness”.
“It is a draft report for their consideration and to make comments on,” he said.
The evaluation of Playford Council was announced by Mr Riches in April, who said at the time he had considered “a number of complaints and reports” made to the Office for Public Integrity (OPI).
Stressing it was not an investigation, Mr Riches said the evaluation would help ensure the council’s duties “are carried out appropriately and in a manner that is free of corruption, misconduct and maladministration”.
“An evaluation is a useful means of gaining an in-depth understanding of a public authority’s operations and how it guards against risks of corruption, misconduct and maladministration,” he said in a statement.
“The evaluation will conclude with the provision of a report to both Houses of Parliament.
“I am hopeful that my report, together with any recommendations made, will be of assistance not only to the City of Playford but to the 67 other local councils in South Australia.”
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The ICAC evaluation followed the dismissal of the council’s highly-paid chief executive Mal Hemmerling last December over a sexual harassment complaint by a female staff member.
Consultants who investigated the complaint found the council had a culture of bullying within its senior management level.
Comment about the draft ICAC report has been sought from the council. It is expected to be tabled in State Parliament on December 4.