Political rival questions Shellharbour mayor Chris Homer’s conduct
A NSW councillor has demanded answers over whether a mayor breached the council’s code of conduct when logos for private businesses were on display during official duties.
Illawarra Star
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Two stickers on a surfboard have sparked a rift in Shellharbour Council — with questions over whether or not Mayor Chris Homer may have breached the code of conduct by promoting private businesses he has a financial interest in.
The tension came after a photo of Cr Homer holding his surfboard, published in September for the start of swimming season.
Cr Robert Petreski took issue with the mayor – a keen surfer – as the surfboard on display bore logos of his businesses MQ (Money Quest Finance) and CHC (Chris Homer Creations), both of which he has listed as pecuniary interests.
During the council meeting in October, Cr Petreski submitted a question with notice asking if the council has a policy regarding councillors promoting businesses while performing their official duties.
The response in the business papers for Tuesday’s meeting was that council did not have such a policy – an answer which left Cr Petreski “slightly surprised”.
Cr Petreski pushed the mayor for a further explanation before Councillor Jacqui Graf interjected: “If there is a legitimate complaint it can go through the appropriate channels”.
“People have the right to know,” Cr Petreski pleaded.
“You’re not answering the question.
“I am slightly surprised we don’t have a formal policy – is the code of conduct a formal policy of council?”
Cr Homer spoke over Cr Petreski, stating he “couldn’t speak to an item of information”.
Cr Petreski persisted, claiming he had “found an official policy” relating to the matter before asking for it to be debated as urgent business.
“I don‘t think it is urgent so we are moving on,” Cr Homer said before closing the meeting.
The policy Cr Petreski referred to is the council’s “Code of Conduct for Councillors” which states councillors must “not conduct themselves in a manner that involves the misuse of their position to obtain a private benefit”.
It also says councillors “must not take advantage (or seek to take advantage) of their status or position with council, or of functions they perform for council, in order to obtain a private benefit for themselves or for any other person or body”.
Shellharbour Council was contacted for clarification around the issue — including whether the code of conduct was an official policy and if the “obtaining a private benefit for themselves or for any other persons or body” meant the same as ”promoting businesses”.
CEO Michael Archer confirmed the code of conduct was an official policy, but said “the council and the city’s administration cannot comment in relation to alleged breaches of the code of conduct”.
When asked if Cr Homer had breached the code of conduct, Mr Archer referred to his previous answer and pointed to two additional clauses of the code of conduct.
The additional clauses - 9.9 and 9.11 - fell under “Disclosure of information about the consideration of a matter under the procedures” which outlines councillors “must not make allegations about, or disclose information about, suspected breaches” unless done in “accordance with the procedures”.
Cr Petreski said he “certainly does not believe” he breached either of the clauses.
“I have not made an allegation of a breach of the code, which therefore means that there isn‘t a matter under consideration,” he said.
“I have, however, been asking questions that many constituents have put to me, just as I did last Tuesday when I read those emails.”
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