Whittlesea mayor Kris Pavlidis facing new bullying allegations
PRESSURE is mounting on a northern suburbs mayor to resign as chair of a human rights and multiculturalism support group, after fresh allegations of bullying emerge.
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WHITTLESEA mayor Kris Pavlidis’ role as chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria is under more scrutiny after fresh allegations of bullying and racial vilification.
The new claims against Cr Pavlidis have been made by ECCV deputy chair Peter Mousaferiadis.
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The allegations, revealed in an email leaked to the Leader, come less than two weeks after former ECCV head Fotis Kapetopoulos quit just nine weeks into the role.
He cited Cr Pavlidis’s intimidation, harassment and “disturbing” behaviour as the reason for resigning.
In the 2000-word letter sent to the ECCV board on Tuesday, Mr Mousaferiadis called on the members to “act immediately” to prevent Cr Pavlidis ruining what remained of the council’s reputation.
Only the board can remove Cr Pavlidis from her position.
“Since May of this year, the chair of ECCV has relentlessly tried to force me to step down as a deputy chairperson of ECCV,” he stated.
“A series of incidents dating back to the first general meeting in 2018, including a publicly humiliating attack on me at the ECCV conference, continue to have an emotional toll on my wellbeing, impacting on my professional life as well.”
Cr Pavlidis declined to comment on the allegations.
In the letter, Mr Mousaferiadis stated he had lodged a case before the Victorian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (VEOHRC) against Cr Pavlidis following an incident in February 2018.
He alleged Cr Pavlidis “racially vilified” him during an ECCV board meeting.
VEOHRC stated it doesn’t comment on individual cases.
Mr Mousaferiadis confirmed to the Leader he had written the leaked letter.
Mr Mousaferiadis said while he was “saddened” it had been made public it was indicative of the “lack of confidence” in the chair.
He said he was been “empowered” to take action following the resignation of Mr Kapetopoulos, but stressed his concerns with Cr Pavlidis started before the former head began his role.
A copy of the letter was also sent to state Multicultural Affairs Minister Robin Scott and Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz.
Comment is being sought from both ministers.
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