Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken sanctioned over staff safety fears

One of City Hall’s most senior figures has been disciplined over his ongoing “problematic behaviour” following a string of complaints from staff.

Geelong council monitors Mark Davies and Peter Dorling (left and right) and deputy mayor Anthony Aitken (centre).

One of City Hall’s most senior figures has been disciplined following multiple staff complaints about his behaviour, with council executives saying it poses a significant risk to the safety of employees.

While the exact number of complaints against Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken is unclear, one source said more than two dozen had been made.

City Hall’s human resources department, at the direction of state government appointed council monitors Peter Dorling and Mark Davies, informed Mr Aitken of the action last month.

That formal letter followed earlier warnings, including correspondence from Mayor Trent Sullivan to Mr Aitken about his “problematic behaviour”, but no improvement had been noted.

Staff reported feeling “uncomfortable and targeted” by Mr Aitken, and claimed his “commentary and demeanour” was undermined them.

It was concluded that Mr Aitken’s dealings with council staff posed a “significant and persistent” risk to their health and safety.

Consequently, any meeting involving Mr Aitken – a councillor since 2017 – and council staff must now be recorded so an “evidentiary resource” was available should further complaints be made.

Additionally, at least one of council’s five most senior executives must attend any meeting, while staff can terminate a meeting if they feel threatened in any way.

It is unclear how far the complaints date back.

Mr Aitken labelled the action a “non-event”.

“It has been acknowledged that due process has not been followed,” he said.

He declined to elaborate, while City Hall did not respond to a series of questions, citing the current local government election blackout period that runs until October 26.

Described by one City Hall source as having a “sharp tongue”, Mr Aitken often ruffles the feathers of his fellow councillors at public meetings.

His supporters see him as a hard-nosed advocate for the residents he represents.

Mr Aitken is considered favourite to win the newly formed Corio ward at the upcoming election, where his opponents include Socialist Alliance candidate and incumbent councillor Sarah Hathway.

Should he be elected, the sanctions will remain in place for 12 months.

“I look forward to being re-elected and fighting for the residents of the Corio ward as passionately as I can,” Mr Aitken said.

“I will always put the community first before monitors and officers, as a councillor at the City of Greater Geelong.”

Multiple sources said the timing of the action was peculiar, just weeks out from voting packs landing in letterboxes.

The sanctions came into effect two days after council nominations opened and sources said Mr Dorling and Mr Davies spearheaded the action.

Anthony Aitken and Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan. Picture: Supplied.

The pair were appointed in May by Local Government Minister Melissa Horne, less than three months after the 12-month term of Mr Dorling and Prue Digby ended.

They will remain in the role until at least the end of the year.

In May, Mr Aitken was ordered to apologise to three of his council colleagues after lashing out over their failure to support plans for a Bellarine chocolate factory.

Councillors Sarah Hathway, Elise Wilkinson and Jim Mason lodged a formal complaint soon after a December planning committee meeting where Mr Aitken accused them of having a predetermined view on the matter.

Originally published as Geelong deputy mayor Anthony Aitken sanctioned over staff safety fears