Residents complain about the conduct of Minister Corey Wingard during defunct Hove crossing project

More people have reported disrespectful meetings with Minister Corey Wingard during a transport project this year. Mr Wingard says they were upset by things they didn’t want to hear.

State government Minister Corey Wingard has come under further fire over claims of “disrespectful” and “intimidating” dealings with residents of a southern suburbs community.

But the Minister said he expects some criticism as an elected representative – and constituents hearing unwelcome news may find it confronting or upsetting.

It comes as the state government commits to making public the outcome of an investigation into bullying allegations levelled against the Transport and Sport Minister by Sport SA boss Leah Cassidy.

The Advertiser reported on Thursday that Ms Cassidy had accused Mr Wingard of bullying and intimidation. The allegations have been referred to the Public Sector Commissioner who has appointed an independent investigator to look into the matter and report back.

Residents who had previously been lobbying the government about the now defunct Hove level crossing project have spoken about their interactions with Mr Wingard during the saga.

Hove resident Kaye Norlander, 71, said Mr Wingard was “not respectful” and “very dismissive” when she encountered him at a street corner meeting earlier this year.

“(He is) extremely arrogant, bombastic, opinionated, overbearing,” she said.

“I think he is intimidating.”

She said members of the public should be able to disagree with a Minister and not be talked down to.

“It makes you feel as though you just don’t count,” she said.

Brighton resident, Robyn Patterson, 65, said she attended a community meeting at a local football club to hear from Mr Wingard about the Hove project.

She said he “doesn’t give you a chance” to speak.

“(He) won’t listen, won’t let you speak and then he fires it back at you ‘well what’s your question then? What’s your question?” she said.

“It makes you feel uncomfortable... and he’s quite a bully really.”

Transport and Sport Minister Corey Wingard has been accused of disrespect towards some constituents, but he says they didn’t like the fact the government was exploring all options. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Another person, who spoke to The Advertiser on the condition of anonymity, said she had a meeting with the Minister at his office and described the experience as “thoroughly unpleasant”, during which Mr Wingard spoke over the top of her and was dismissive of her concerns.

“He wasn’t personable. He wasn’t nice,” she said.

“I was really surprised at the end of the (meeting) to have met a politician with so little empathy and so little humanity about him.”

Opposition spokesman Tom Koutsantonis called for an independent investigation into Mr Wingard’s alleged conduct.

“The allegations against him now are mounting and there are now more women speaking out about his alleged behaviour,” he said.

“Corey Wingard has no place sitting on the cabinet while these matters are being investigated – He needs to stand down.”

Mr Wingard said a number of people close to the Hove project “didn’t like the fact we were exploring all options and they made that known to me on multiple occasions”.

“Sometimes when you tell someone something they don’t want to hear or agree with they can find it confronting or upsetting,” he said.

“As an elected representative I expect criticism to be levelled at me – it comes with the job – but I have nothing but the best interests of my community and this state at heart.”

Mr Wingard said his family was harassed during the Hove saga and his wife was “bailed up as she stood beside a coffin at a funeral”. It is not suggested anyone referred to above was involved.

“I won’t be lectured by Tom Koutsantonis who was forced to publicly apologise for swearing at public servants during meetings and who failed to stand down while an investigation was underway,” Mr Wingard said.