Darriea Turley appointed adviser to Local Government NSW after she resigned as president

A former president of Local Government NSW was forced to resign after her council cancelled their membership – just months later she was quietly rehired as a ‘special adviser’ to the new president.

Darriea Turley, the first female mayor of Broken Hill. Picture: Dylan Robinson

A former president of Local Government NSW was forced to resign after her council cancelled their membership — just months later she was quietly rehired as a ‘special adviser’ to the new president.

Broken Hill Council resigned its membership from LGNSW last November, alleging the body does not prioritise regional mining communities.

However, just a month later, former president and Broken Hill councillor Darriea Turley was quietly rehired as an adviser to new president Phyllis Millner before she was also appointed as a director of LGNSW’s internal superannuation fund known as Vision Super, sparking calls for an investigation into the appointments.

Turley was no longer eligible to hold the office of LGNSW president – in accordance with LGNSW constitution. The role of director of the Vision Super was previously reserved for councillors of elected member councils before the ad hoc decision to appoint Ms Turley.

Darriea Turley was appointed as a special adviser to the peak body for Local Government NSW. Picture: Dylan Robinson

The regional NSW councillor’s unannounced appointment to LGNSW has been branded “sneaky” and triggered calls for her resignation and for the Independent Corruption Against Corruption to investigate amid complaints the role was not put out to tender.

The LGNSW board resolved to retain her services as a special adviser, saying she had been democratically elected to the role of president by her local government colleagues.

“This decision was made in light of the fact that Cr Turley was democratically elected to the role of President by her local government colleagues,” a spokesperson said.

Darriea Turley says she loves serving her community and local government is the closest form of government to the people.

Broken Hill Mayor Independent councillor Tom Kennedy, whose council resigned from the board, said he has asked ICAC for further investigations into the newly created LGNSW job, a public incorporated body that deals with government money complaining it was not put out to tender.

“This new position didn’t pass the pub test for me,” he said.

The regional councillor questioned why Ms Turley was allowed to be appointed to the new role if she had to stand down as president.

“I don’t like public money being spent without a completely transparent process,” he said.

“It creates a conflict having a councillor acting at board level for organisations with which our council has no involvement or voting rights.”

Independent Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone whose council remains an LGNSW member, branded the LGNSW role “a job for mates” and called on Ms Turley to resign.

“You can’t get more jobs for mates than this — Darriea should resign,” he argued.

“This shows the board has no transparency by appointing a non-member council to oversee business, members haven’t been informed that she is the new paid role and is still attending board meetings.”

Ms Turley refused to comment but said “I can only say that I love serving my community as local government is the closest form of government to the people.

“I have been an elected member since 1995.”

The LGNSW said the board’s decision to appoint Ms Turley as special adviser was “acted as provided for by its rules.”

“The Board also resolved that Cr Turley remain as an LGNSW ALGA representative as she remained a councillor in line with their requirements,” a spokesman said.

“LGNSW undertook a competitive selection process with independent assessment to provide a nominee for appointment by LGSS Pty Ltd, then known as Active Super, for which Cr Turley was eligible,” the spokesman added.