Mornington Peninsula Shire considers bid for review of Harry Potter event in secret
A bizarre stand off over a promised review into a Harry Potter event on the Mornington Peninsula has been “dealt with”, but ratepayers remain in the dark about what happened.
South East
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A secret meeting has ended a stand-off over a review into a Harry Potter event on the Mornington Peninsula, amid calls for local councillors to reveal how they voted.
Mornington Peninsula Shire council met behind closed doors on Tuesday to end an impasse over a review into how the event was approved for a Mount Martha wildlife sanctuary before being moved to a nearby dog park.
After the confidential business concluded mayor Simon Brooks said “the matter had been dealt with”
He said a report to be tabled at a May 28 meeting would “flesh out full details of this particular matter”.
Council Watch has urged all councillors to tell ratepayers if they supported the review, which was publicly promised by the mayor.
“This is one of the most controversial decisions made by the council in recent years,” president Dean Hurlston said.
“The public has the right to know where each councillors stands on the review, especially in an election year.”
Mr Hurlston said the review had wider implications for the council than a single event.
“It’s about transparency. How was this decision made? What was the process?,” he said.
Tuesday’s meeting was held in confidence, which prevents councillors from discussing what happened.
However, legal advice previously obtained by councillor Anthony Marsh, found that an individual councillor can reveal how they voted on a confidential matter as long as it does not also expose how another councillor voted.
Mr Marsh used that advice to share that he had voted against the Harry Potter event when it was originally debated behind closed doors on August 22, 2023.
“My vote was not a result of exceptional foresight or a comprehensive understanding of the issues that have since come to light,” he said.
“Instead, it reflected my consistent stance on various matters – a dissatisfaction with the depth and balance of the report presented, which led me to vote against the proposal as I couldn’t be sure I had all the necessary information to make an informed decision.”
Tuesday’s meeting was the continuation of a meeting on Wednesday, May 15 that was abandoned after two councillors – Sarah Race and Debra Mar – walked out ahead of the Harry Potter review being debated.
The exit of the two women meant there weren’t enough councillors present in the chamber for a decision to be made.
The shire has 11 councillors and needs a majority of six for a meeting to commence, or continue.
A total of nine councillors attended Tuesday’s online meeting including mayor Simon Brooks, deputy mayor Antonella Celi, Susan Bissinger, Lisa Dixon, David Gill, Anthony Marsh, Despi O’Connor and Sarah Race.
Councillors Kate Roper and Steve Holland did not attend.
Prior to the matter going behind closed doors Ms Bissinger asked “what the public would be allowed to know”.
“Will the public be allowed to know if the item is called or if something else happens?” she said.
Mr Brooks said the item would be “presented”.