Mark Dowd bounces back after Onkaparinga Council scandal to head Disability Living
A former council CEO at the centre of a spending scandal triggered by a lavish golf club membership has landed a new job leading an SA disability service.
SA News
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A chief executive who committed misconduct when he headed Onkaparinga Council has revived his career, this time working with people with a disability.
Mark Dowd is the new chief executive of accommodation provider Disability Living.
The organisation’s chairwoman, Sandra Di Blasio, this week wrote to clients and supporters to describe Mr Dowd’s “passion” for the role to “explore the potential of the NDIS”.
“As a proud South Australian, his passion for giving back to the community shone throughout an extensive interview process making him the standout candidate to lead Disability Living into the future,” the letter read.
Mr Dowd led Onkaparinga for eight years before falling foul of ratepayers after it was revealed he asked the council to pay for his Kooyonga Golf Club membership in 2017 at a cost of $6800.
Ratepayers then exposed lavish credit card spending while Mr Dowd was in charge of the council.
In November last year, Ombudsman Wayne Lines found Mr Dowd committed misconduct when he accepted a free trip to Brisbane to attend a technology conference.