Whittlesea mayor Aidan McLindon defiant after no confidence vote

‘It’s a witch hunt’ The mayor of one of Melbourne’s most volatile councils has his say on a bid to oust him after just three months in the gig.

The mayor of one of Melbourne’s most volatile councils has been told to quit immediately amid accusations ratepayers have “lost faith” in his ability to do the job.

Whittlesea Council on Tuesday night passed a unanimous vote of no confidence in Mayor Aidan McLindon after tabling a petition signed by 1153 residents calling for his resignation.

The petition came after residents took umbrage with Mr McLindon’s decision to run for the recent Werribee by-election.

He took personal leave between January 23 and February 8 to campaign for the seat which is about 70km from Whittlesea and on the other side of Melbourne to the municipality.

Whittlesea mayor Aidan McLindon.

Councillor Martin Taylor said residents had “lost faith” in Mr McLindon’s ability to carry out his duties and public confidence had been undermined.

He said the mayoral role was “not simply a title” but a “privilege” that carried great responsibility.

Mr Taylor said the vote of no confidence was also a result of multiple alleged breaches of the council’s code of conduct including failing to represent the interests of the municipal community.

“This council refuses to ignore conduct that diminishes in any way public faith in its governance,” he said.

“If we are to rebuild public confidence … a fresh start is needed.”

Councillor Lawrie Cox said the council needed to learn from the mistakes of 2020 when it was dismissed by the state government.

Earlier this month the council voted to apply for internal arbitration regarding Mr McLindon’s alleged breaches of the code of conduct.

A defiant Mr McLindon on Wednesday vowed to continue as mayor, saying the bid to oust him was “a witch hunt”.

He committed to being “stoic, measured and positive about the city of Whittlesea” and remaining a “dignified, independent referee’ while leading council meetings.

Mr McLindon said he ran for Werribee as a “paper candidate” to elevate state based issues that were adversely impacting Whittlesea.

His campaign included a call for an urgent review of the Local Government Act and stop a proposed waste to energy facility proposed by CleanAway for Woollert.

“The campaign took place during council’s summer break and was no reflection of my commitment to the people of Whittlesea,” Mr McLindon said.

Whittlesea Council offices in South Morang. Picture: Mark Smith

Whittlesea is one of two council being investigated for voter fraud following the 2024 elections.

Victoria Police, the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Local Government Insepectorate are involved in a probe into Lalor Ward.

The investigation was launched after multiple ballot papers that appeared to be from the same voters were returned.

Mr McLindon was elected mayor by his fellow councillors just three months ago in November.

He said he was the most popular candidate in the October council elections, winning Kirrip Ward with 55 per cent of the primary vote, the highest received in any Whittlesea ward.

The elections were the first since the entire council was dismissed in March 2020 after municipal monitor Yehudi Blacher revealed serious governance failures.

Yehudi Blacher

Mr Blacher found the council went through five chief executives within five years and spent $500,000 on legal disputes.

The ruling came just months after the chief executive Simon Overland was sacked in December 2019 amid allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff by councillors.

Mr Overland, who was Victoria’s police chief commissioner between 2009 and 2011, was Whittlesea’s fifth chief executive in five years.

He held a number of senior positions with Victoria Police during Melbourne’s “gangland wars” and was called to give evidence during the recent ‘Lawyer X’ royal commission about his involvement in the use of lawyer Nicole Gobbo as an informant.

Whittlesea Council is still being supported by two municipal monitors who will be in place until November.