Leaked emails reveal extent of division between Parramatta Liberal councillors following fallout

A series of leaked emails have revealed the extent of the division inside a local Sydney Liberal Party branch and the embarrassment over the behaviour of one rogue councillor.

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Maverick Parramatta councillor Ben Barrak is the centre of an internal NSW Liberal Party revolt as fed-up ministerial and western Sydney colleagues call for him to be jettisoned over alleged misconduct and inappropriate behaviour.

NSW Police Minister and Baulkham Hills MP David Elliott has written to Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock and the Liberals’ state director, Chris Stone, calling for “swift” action to restore order at Parramatta Council and stop the party allegedly being brought into disrepute.

It was prompted by Cr Barrak’s centre-right Liberal council colleagues, Steven Issa, Andrew Jefferies, Martin Zaiter, Bill Tyrrell and Bob Dwyer, all hitting out at the Dundas ward councillor and powerbroker for the conservative wing of the party’s Parramatta branch.

Cr Zaiter said in a leaked email the bloc of five had been trying to manage an “unbearable situation” with Cr Barrak, who has been booted out of the past nine council meetings for refusing to apologise for alleged misconduct.

David Elliot. Picture: Tim Pascoe

He claimed in the email on May 27 that the internal fallout stemmed from negotiations with the Our Local Community councillors, Andrew Wilson and Michelle Garrard, after the 2017 local government election over who would be Lord Mayor of Parramatta.

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“It was with great pain to be seated in a public cafe (Port Bar Parramatta in 2017) and having to watch Cr Barrak call Cr Garrard a c***, among other things,” he told Mr Elliott in the email.

Cr Martin Zaiter. Picture: AAP/Keri Megelus

“This behaviour is completely deplorable and something that ended up costing the Liberal Party … the first elected Lord Mayor of the newly amalgamated City of Parramatta Council.”

Cr Barrak said he was bound by confidentiality and could not make any comments on the matter.

“I suggest that any media comment about internal disputes is against the Liberal Party constitution,” he said.

“Rest assured that at all times, I have advocated for transparency of council decisions, the best interests of my constituents and the City of Parramatta and that I will continue to do so, even in the face of criticism.”

Cr Barrak took legal action against the council in April over his ban from meetings after calling Cr Wilson a “clown” — and later using the Ronald McDonald defence for it — and making inappropriate comments towards a council solicitor, as well as failing to return confidential papers.

However, a judge in the Land and Environment Court ruled that council was within its rights to enforce the expulsion until the councillor apologised, and ordered he pay council’s costs. Cr Barrak said he would appeal the decision.

Mr Elliott has called on Ms Hancock and Mr Stone to urgently deal with behaviour by Cr Barrak, who also allegedly verbally abused a constituent after being ejected from an eighth meeting last month.

“Councillors are elected to serve in the best interests of their local communities, not use their time on council to launch legal proceedings, attract media headlines and abuse colleagues,” Mr Elliott wrote in a letter obtained by the Advertiser.

“As a Liberal on one of the largest councils in NSW, his refusal to work with his colleagues, or even attend party room meetings, his verbal abuse of staff, councillors and ratepayers, both during and after council meetings, as well as his media performance undoubtedly brings the Liberal Party into disrepute.”

Parramatta councillor Andrew Jefferies (AAP IMAGE/ Angelo Velardo)

Parramatta councillor Steven Issa.

Cr Jefferies claims that Cr Barrak’s actions are “clearly out of step with community expectations” and “those of our party”.

“His most recent comments and ongoing suspension from the chamber have only brought public ridicule to the council at a time when significant major projects are on the radar and critical public infrastructure needs to be delivered,” Cr Jefferies wrote as part of the series of leaked emails to Mr Elliott a week ago.

“(He) appears intent on destroying the reputation of the council.”

Cr Tyrrell added in a separate email to Mr Elliott: “I can say to you that a councillor who has not represented his community by being excluded from council meetings of his own hand, been paid, not attended any internal workshops of meetings, I have to question whether they are fit to be a councillor.”

Cr Issa said in his email to Mr Elliott: “The people who voted for a Liberal and Barrak to represent them have been let down.

“(In the past five months) he has earned approximately $15,000 in councillor fees and has added no value to residents.

“I believe the party and city have been brought into disrepute by his actions.”