Khal Asfour: Canterbury-Bankstown mayor called to step down during independent review

A councillor has called for the Canterbury-Bankstown mayor to step down while an independent review into improper planning process allegations made against him, and council, takes place.

A councillor has called for Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Khal Asfour to step down while an independent review into allegations against him, and council, takes place.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council has engaged one of the state’s top barristers, Arthur Moses SC, alongside former AFP investigator Kath Roach to lead the review as a result of allegations made about council’s planning processes by two state MPs using parliamentary privilege.

Mayor Asfour has said Mihailuk undertook a “gutless attack and a slur on his good reputation”, adding that he was just one member of council, and proper procedures had been followed every step of the way.

“She is citing matters from 2012, this reeks of sour grapes at being overlooked on Labor’s upper House ticket,” Mr Asfour said.

East Hills Liberal MP Wendy Lindsay told NSW Parliament she had “longstanding concerns”, highlighting a 2016 Bankstown council meeting saw an “open conversation between councillors and developers” lead to “many changes” to planning controls around Padstow.

Canterbury ward councillor Barbara Coorey has called for Mayor Khal Asfour to step down while the inquiry takes place. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The allegations came a day after Bankstown Labor MP Tania Mihailuk raised concerns in parliament about the mayor’s relationship with disgraced powerbroker Eddie Obeid and planning processes in Bankstown.

Independent Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Barbara Coorey said residents and ratepayers would be horrified to learn Canterbury-Bankstown Council was opening its coffers to pay for a senior silk.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour (centre) faces allegations from Wendy Lindsay MP (left) and Tania Mihailuk MP (right).

Arthur Moses SC is one of NSW’s top barristers. Picture: Monique Harmer

“It’s outrageous. We haven’t voted, and I wouldn’t agree on this,” Ms Coorey said.

“My ward is riddled with potholes, I have streets people can’t drive on, playground equipment which needs to be replaced, I’ve been told there is no money.”

Ms Coorey said the mayor should pay the costs of the top silk himself, as he now an endorsed candidate for the Upper House.

“The allegations were laid at Mr Asfour, and no one else,” she said.

When Mr Asfour was asked if he would step down, a council spokeswoman responded: “The mayor is not stepping down over baseless and hurtful allegations and there is a council meeting on tomorrow night and the “unnamed councillor” will have an opportunity to raise these matters then”.

Mr Moses’ role is to ‘oversee’ an investigation into allegations made in parliament, but repeated questions to council on how much it costs, what the terms of the inquiry are, and when it is expected to be completed, were left unanswered.

The Express sent a list of questions to council on Monday morning, including: What, specifically, will they be investigating? What are the terms of the inquiry? How much is being budgeted for to pay both Ms Roach and Mr Moses? When does the council expect the inquiry to be completed?

After repeated follow ups, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning, a spokeswoman responded: “the Mayor isn’t available to comment on this”.

After requesting the questions be put to Canterbury-Bankstown Council CEO Matthew Stewart instead, on both Tuesday and Wednesday, no response was given.

The Express also called Mr Moses’ office, asking for a ballpark figure on what he would bill clients per day, but did not receive a call back prior to publishing.