‘He stood on the mayor’s foot’: How the Liverpool Council chaos turned physical

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun’s troubled relationship with a long-time political rival is frustrating the operations of one of Sydney’s largest councils, an inquiry has heard, amid accusations Peter Ristevski goaded the mayor and trod on his foot at a meeting earlier this year.

The discord between the elected officials is among matters under the spotlight of the NSW Office of Local Government’s public inquiry into Liverpool City Council, which is examining councillors’ conduct as well as its handling of finances, property purchases, staff employment and more than $150 million in state government grants for infrastructure projects.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun’s council is under the spotlight of a NSW Office of Local Government inquiry.Credit: Steven Siewert

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig announced the public inquiry in July last year after a report detailed serious allegations of dysfunction and maladministration at the western Sydney council.

In the month prior, the council had sensationally ousted its 10th chief executive in eight years, John Ajaka, the former president of the NSW Legislative Council, after a falling out with Mannoun.

Counsel assisting the inquiry Trish McDonald, SC, said in her opening address on Monday the inquiry would consider whether the functioning body of the council – which oversees dozens of suburbs earmarked for significant growth – was operating effectively.

To that end, McDonald said the hearings would examine the “long history on the council” and “antagonism” between Mannoun, a Liberal, and Ristevski, a former Liberal councillor who returned as an independent in the local government elections in September.

The pair appeared to have “a troubled relationship which seems to be spilling in, or affecting, the operation of council”, the inquiry was told.

The inquiry was told about one alleged incident on February 20, when Mannoun met councillors and external recruiters to discuss the appointment of a new chief executive officer.

“There were allegations of … councillor Ristevski goading the mayor, stating to him, ‘Let’s go into the councillor room and deal with this’, and also an allegation that he moved into the mayor’s personal space at one stage and was so close he stood on the mayor’s foot,” McDonald said.

McDonald said Ristevski’s use of social media posts had caused concern among council staff and councillors in January and February. Those posts had been subject to various code of conduct complaints, and had given rise to “issues about work health and safety” within the council.

Councillor Peter Ristevski returned as an independent at last year’s local government elections. Credit: Louise Kennerley

The inquiry heard council staff had by March received 67 complaints about councillors’ conduct since September – more than a dozen times the number of complaints in all of 2023-24. An updated report in June revealed that the number had since increased to 115 complaints.

McDonald said the inquiry would consider the “substantial” increase in code of conduct complaints, and whether they warranted the re-establishment of an internal ombudsman role at the council.

She said the probe would also consider the council’s appointment of 11 chief executive officers – six of whom were permanent roles and the remainder of which were acting positions – since late 2010.

“One is tempted to misquote Oscar Wilde: To lose one CEO may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose two CEOs looks like carelessness; but to lose six permanent appointments over that period may be something else,” McDonald said.

A truck outside the Liverpool City Council building the day the interim report was released in July.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

The inquiry will also examine whether the council’s acquisition and sale of several properties was appropriate and aligned with its strategic plans. Among them is the $32.7 million purchase of a former bus depot site at 600 Cowpasture Road in the Len Waters Estate at Hoxton Park in 2022.

“We anticipate there will be evidence that from the first indication or raising of a possible purchase of this property, to a decision by council to purchase it, occurred very quickly,” McDonald said.

Also set to come under the spotlight is the council’s handling of six government grants under the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program (formerly known as WestInvest) – which amounted to a combined $150 million. Those funds were granted for projects including the Brickmakers Creek to Woodward Park creek connection; Carnes Hill pool; Lighthorse Park; and road upgrades to Macquarie Street, Railway Street and Scott Street.

The council’s lawyer, James Emmett, SC, said the organisation had an interest in trying to assist the inquiry to ensure it was not “left with an incomplete or lopsided picture of matters of concern”.

“No council employee has been notified that they are a person in respect of whom it is anticipated allegations of wrongdoing or improper conduct may be made, or adverse findings may be sought. Nevertheless, this public inquiry is itself a source of stress and anxiety for many council staff.”

The administrative inquiry, in front of Commissioner Ross Glover, will run for several weeks. Mannoun, Ristevski and Ajaka are among those due to give evidence.

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