Inner West Council: Michael Deegan reveals bullying claims
A Sydney council CEO has publicly dropped a bombshell that some councillors are being investigated by multiple agencies for reportedly bullying and harassing staff. In his public briefing he warned councillors they could face up to five years in jail.
Inner West
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Inner West Council is currently in the midst of a bullying scandal, with unions, the Office of Local Government and NSW Safe Work investigators called in to probe the claims.
The allegations came to light after a June 9 councillor briefing by CEO Michael Deegan outlined how a series of investigations had been launched into staff reportedly being bullied and harassed by sitting councillors.
In the briefing, Mr Deegan told councillors of “their responsibilities” and warned that penalties ranged from fines of up to $300,000 and five years in jail.
He described the claims as “the downward spiral of the treatment of staff”.
The briefing also detailed that the Office of Local Government was considering the conduct of certain councillors and the fiery nature of recent meetings.
“It should be confidential,” Cr Julie Passas said.
“It’s damning I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, it should never have been made public.”
Mr Deegan has been in a year-long stand-off with some councillors after a 2019 report released by the South Australian Ombudsman found he committed misconduct while he was the head of Infrastructure Australia.
He was appointed to the role by Labor’s then transport minister Anthony Albanese in 2014 but was in the sights of the watchdog after personally signing off on a Freedom of Information request into his own expenses.
He has repeatedly refuted the findings in the past.
Mr Albanese has been the federal member for the inner west seat of Grayndler since 1996.
The ombudsman report had criticised his use of taxpayer funds through his credit card and some councillors are understood to be moving to have him dismissed.
He was eventually sacked by the incoming Liberal South Australian government before landing the job as Inner West Council’s CEO.
Mr Deegan declined to talk directly when contacted.
The United Services Union is representing some staff who have levelled complaints about the working environment at the council.
Inner West Council declined to answer a series of questions when asked and instead issued a statement on behalf of Mr Deegan.
“As CEO of Inner West Council, I take my legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace very seriously,” the statement read.
“(The code of conduct) requires them to take reasonable care of their own health and safety as well as take reasonable care to ensure any of their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of others at a council workplace.
“From time to time I have reminded councillors of their responsibilities.”
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