Ratepayers’ petition calls for Casey councillors to stand down
As the IBAC investigation into corruption allegations continues, Casey ratepayers are furious the council at its latest meeting refused to read a petition calling for councillors to resign or be sacked.
South East
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Casey ratepayers say they are “shocked” after the council refused to read out a petition that called to sack councillors.
Former Casey councillor Lynette Pereira, who attended tonight’s meeting, said she was shocked the council failed to read out the details of the petition and “simply brushed it off”.
“They really don’t know how to run a meeting. It’s time for them to do the right thing by the community and stand down,” Ms Pereira said.
“Simply passing on the petition to the state government isn’t good enough – we deserve to be acknowledged as ratepayers.
She said she was furious as the council also failed to read out a question she sent in regarding besieged councillor Sam Aziz’s whereabouts.
“He’s still being paid ratepayers’ money – we deserve to know where he is.”
A personal apology had also been sent in by Cr Aziz, simply stating he “apologised” for not attending tonight’s council meeting.
It was also the first meeting Cr Geoff Ablett attended since taking a leave of absence until December 31.
EARLIER:
A former Casey councillor has called for the current batch of councillors to “step aside or be sacked” in the wake of the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission investigation.
Steve Beardon said there should not even be a new election until “the city has had an independent performance review” of all procedures and operations.
“Administrators should be appointed straight away to put a separation between the councillors and the next election,” he said.
“This will ensure the adminstiative side of council is operating effectively as required under legislation.”
Mr Beardon’s call comes as the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association lodged a petition calling for councillors to “act in the best interest of the community” and request State Government relieve councillors of all further duties and arrange a “new, clean election” for single-councillor wards as soon as possible.
“We think an election is preferable as we don’t want to see the council fall into disrepair if administrators are appointed,” association vice president Brian Oates.
He said following the IBAC allegations of corrupt conduct in planning and property development decisions at the City of Casey, ratepayers had a “lack of confidence” in councillors.
But Mr Beardon said council elections would take months, further risking investment and jobs and infrastructure growth.
Ratepayers Victoria president Dean Hurlston agreed the councillors should go.
“It’s wholly appropriate for the council to stand aside or be removed until IBAC is able to clarify and quantify what’s happened,” Mr Hurlston said.
Cr Rosalie Crestani said she would not support or lodge the CRRA petition because it was a conflict of interest as it dealt directly with her election as a representative of the community.
“I believe we should stay in as councillors and be treated with fair process,” Cr Crestani said.
“Casey Ratepayers Association mean well and they want the best for the city but I also believe their assessment of the situation is too early to consider and they should allow the proceedings to go to their full extent.”
In November, an integrity monitor was installed at the City of Casey as the state watchdog continued its public hearings amid allegations of dodgy donations with property developers.
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It was reported earlier this month besieged councillor Sam Aziz, who took off overseas before he was embroiled in the corruption investigation, was still being paid, with the council remaining the dark about his whereabouts.
Cr Aziz flew to Egypt late last year before the IBAC hearings were told he pocketed $900,000 from property developers.
The CRRA petition, which has 27 signatures, will be presented it at tonight’s council meeting.
Casey Council has been contacted for comment.