Wingecarribee council: GM stood down over alleged manhandling
The general manager of a Southern Highlands council has been temporarily stood down as police investigate an allegation he dragged a female reporter out of a public hotel.
NSW
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A high-ranking Southern Highlands council staffer has temporarily stood down after The Daily Telegraph revealed he was under police investigation for allegedly assaulting a young journalist.
Wingecarribee Shire Council acting general manager Barry Paull has been replaced during an ordinary council meeting on Wednesday night.
He has been temporarily replaced by John Burgess who was formerly employed by Auburn City Council. During his stint at the Sydney council, he worked alongside disgraced mayor Salim Mehajer.
Mr Paull has taken sick leave while a police investigation into him is underway.
A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesman said Mr Burgess will remain in the role until at least March 22 as the police investigation into Mr Paull continues.
No charges have been laid.
Cr Gary Turland was the first to raise the issue of Mr Paull’s employment at the meeting.
“After yesterday’s events, I believe we need to appoint a new acting general manager,” he said.
The matter was discussed privately by councillors who later announced Mr Paull was replaced by Mr Burgess as the acting general manager.
Yesterday, The Daily Telegraph revealed police were investigating an incident in which the outgoing general manager allegedly manhandled a junior reporter at a pub.
Witnesses claim they saw Wingecarribee Mr Paull pull Southern Highlands Express journalist Madeleine Achenza by the arm out of the Moss Vale Hotel.
The incident occurred around 6pm on Tuesday following an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday night.
It had been the junior journalist’s first day reporting on a council meeting.
It has been put on notice by the office of local government with the entire council facing suspension after ongoing complaints.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that they had been preparing to slug bushfire victims with council fees if they wanted to rebuild on their property.
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