Casey councillors Aziz, Ablett claim they’ve been ‘unfairly targeted’
The two embattled Casey councillors at the centre of the council’s IBAC corruption scandal claim their treatment — and imminent sacking — has been an “injustice” based on speculation and allegations.
South East
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Two embattled councillors at the centre of the Casey Council IBAC scandal say they are being treated unfairly.
As the Andrews Government moves to hand control of Casey Council to administrators, councillors Geoff Ablett and Sam Aziz, in an interview with Leader, claimed they had been “unfairly targeted” throughout the IBAC hearings.
The Leader understands Mayor Susan Serey and two other councillors met with Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek earlier on Monday to seek advice on sacking councillors Ablett and Aziz.
Cr Ablett claimed the earlier move against him was ‘premature”.
“The course of justice must be run and if more information comes to light where other councillors are required to give information then they should fully co-operate with IBAC.”
Both councillors were the subject of serious allegations at the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission hearings into planning corruption at Casey.
Cr Ablett, who gave evidence at the IBAC hearings after it was revealed he received $330,000 from developer John Woodman, said sacking councillors based on allegations was an “injustice”.
“We’re making decisions when we’re half way through an information gathering exercise – it’s premature to make decisions on speculations and allegations,” Cr Ablett said.
He said the IBAC hearings had taken a “serious toll” on his mental health and personal life.
“It’s been an incredibly stressful time. My wife has cancer and it’s all taken a huge toll and it’s not a good feeling to have your name slammed consistently for 30 days,” he said.
Cr Ablett, a Hawthorn premiership player, said he was furious at the minister for sacking a council based on “no evidence” whatsoever.
“This has been a complete mob rule trial by the media — I’m extremely disappointed by the minister’s decision,” Cr Ablett said.
“The evidence given so far hasn’t been properly examined and the council has not been given a fair opportunity.”
IBAC has been told Cr Aziz pocketed $900,000 from property developers, but Cr Aziz, who has not given evidence to the inquiry, said it was “an investment” with the Woodman company.
“The money was my money that was being returned to me with the agreed interest that was contracted,” he said.
“The rest of it was a consultancy fee for work that I was doing in the smart cities space at a doctoral level and it was about nine months of consulting fees.
“All of it was declared at every level.”
Speaking from Cairo, Cr Aziz insisted he didn’t leave the country to escape scrutiny but had “ fully co-operated” with the investigation.
“IBAC was fully aware that I was travelling – they didn’t stop me and they didn’t ask me not to travel,” he said.
He said he has been unfit to return from Cairo due to “severe health issues’.
Cr Aziz said his achievements – such as helping deliver Bunjil Place – and the council’s overall success had been destroyed by the IBAC hearings.
An IBAC spokeswoman said during the first round of public hearings last year, it was disclosed that Mr Aziz was examined privately by IBAC.
“This was prior to his departure overseas. IBAC’s Act does not allow IBAC to restrict travel movements,” she said.
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Mayor Susan Serey said councillors would remain in their positions until the outcome of the minister’s decision was known.
Cr Serey said tonight’s council meeting would continue as planned.