Inner West Council CEO’s appointment to be referred to government department

A Greens MP has vowed to refer the appointment of Inner West Council boss Michael Deegan to the local government department, following an Ombudsman’s finding of misconduct in his former role.

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An “appalled” Greens MP will refer the appointment of the Inner West Council’s chief executive to the Department of Local Government, following a finding of misconduct in his former role.

On Thursday the South Australia Ombudsman released a report that found Michael Deegan committed maladministration when chief executive of South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

Ombudsman Wayne Lines found Mr Deegan spent thousands of dollars of public funds on food and alcohol during meetings.

Inner West Council chief executive Michael Deegan during his time as head of Infrastructure Australia.

It also found he committed misconduct by signing off on a Freedom of Information request from now South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas into his own expenses — which was declined.

Balmain state Greens MP Jamie Parker said it was imperative to ensure the council was making financial decisions that served the interests of rate payers.

“I am appalled by this revelation and will be taking immediate action to refer this matter to the Department of Local Government to ensure that the appointment was appropriate and all necessary disclosures were made,” he said.

Balmain MP Jamie Parker has questioned the appointment. Picture: Toby Zerna

“This local council bureaucrat is paid more than the Premier of NSW so the community expects the highest level of ethical conduct from the position.”

Inner West Greens councillors have also made a request an extraordinary meeting of council be held “as soon as possible” to consider the ombudsman’s report and the circumstances that gave rise to it.

Mr Deegan said he acted “ethically” in his former role and “categorically” refutes the Ombudsman’s findings.

Mr Deegan said he had been required to keep the investigation confidential under South Australian legislation, with any breach costing him up to $2500 or six month’s jail.

He labelled its interpretation of his involvement in the Freedom of Information request “trivial”, and noted the report found his actions were “consistent” with ordinary practice.

Michael Deegan said he acted ‘ethically’ in his previous role.

“There is considerable doubt as to whether the Ombudsman even has the power to make such a finding,” he said.

“Unfortunately there is no right to appeal such decisions of the Ombudsman. I have received legal advice that if there was … I would have a very strong case that a court would determine that the Ombudsman was wrong and order that this finding be set aside.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said on Thursday Mr Deegan was “doing an excellent job in the inner west”.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne. Picture: AAP IMAGE/ Danny Aarons

His fellow councillors have said they were “completely in the dark” about the investigation into Mr Deegan when they appointed him to his role in February this year.

The former Infrastructure Australia boss was appointed from a field of 42 candidates at a closed meeting where 11 of the 15 councillors supported the decision.

The Courier was told in February Mr Deegan was to be paid about $440,000 a year.

Greens councillor Rochelle Porteous has called for an extraordinary meeting to discuss the Ombudsman’s report. Picture: AAP Image/Keri Megelus

Mr Deegan’s tenure as South Australia’s transport and infrastructure department lasted from 2014 to 2018.

Allegations outlined by Mr Lines included Mr Deegan spending taxpayer dollars on a $1,190.50 meal at Press* Food & Wine with five external stakeholders, of which an “astonishing” $664 was on alcohol.