Liverpool Council public inquiry: Councillor Peter Ristevski continues evidence
A Liverpool councillor has told an inquiry into the council he delegated his social media responsibilities to a team in Macedonia, claiming it kept “deadwood” staff accountable.
A Liverpool councillor has insisted his role on social media kept “deadwood” staff accountable and warned against sacking the organisation as a public inquiry into the organisation continues.
Councillor Peter Ristevski resumed giving evidence at the Office of Local Government inquiry into the dysfunction and maladministration within the organisation on Monday.
The inquiry heard Mr Ristevski and social media experts managed his Facebook and Instagram accounts from Macedonia by responding to comments usually with a thumb’s up or down emoji, or, if unsure a “shock” emoji to efficiently clear the log.
When counsel assisting the inquiry Trish McDonald SC asked Mr Ristevski if he assessed what reaction had been placed on the posts, he said: “ “No way I don’t have the hours of the day to do that.’’
Ms McDonald said: “So, potentially there could be a controversial comment they determine what the reaction is and you don’t vet it or check it?
“Not for $35,000 a year,’’ Mr Ristevski said.
He agreed with Ms McDonald that comments could potentially cause a code-of-conduct complaint and bring the council into disrepute.
“Potentially, it could cause, comprise or involve intimidation or verbal abuse,’’ she said.
“Potentially it could constitute harassment or bullying behaviour or be unlawfully discriminatory.
“By delegating the reaction to the Macedonian team and not controlling or vetting their reaction, potentially their reaction – thumbs up, for example – could be seen to be an approval of the comment.’’
Mr Ristevski said he had not yet received a code-of-conduct complaint and said he was too busy to monitor comments.
“We get paid $35,000,’’ he said.
“I need to do the budget, which a member of parliament doesn’t need to do, I need to deal with constituent issues ... and now I’ve got to go through a thumb’s up, thumb’s down.
“This council is not dysfunctional because of my social media. Actually it’s better because I keep them accountable.’’
Mr Ristevski gave two examples of staff allegedly acting dysfunctionally at the organisation.
“Yes, it’s easy to blame councillors but there’s a lot of deadwood that work for council,’’ he said.
“If we leave council to these guys that work in there without oversight from councillors, Liverpool’s finished,’’ he said, adding the last time an administrator was appointed it was “terrible for the area”.
“My finger’s on the pulse and these guys can’t be trusted on their own – I keep them accountable a lot of the time,’’ he said.
Mr Ristevski told the inquiry councillors were under pressure.
“We’re not being realistic, we’re putting so much burden on the councillors that state members of parliament don’t have the same burden and they’re on five times the wage. If we want proper accountability, make it a full-time job.’’
The inquiry heard Mr Ristevski has since received code-of-conduct and social media training.
“It’s like a 180-degree turn,’’ he said.
“I don’t think I’ve had a code-of-conduct for a while.’’
The inquiry before Commissioner Ross Glover continues. Mayor Ned Mannoun has not given evidence.
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Originally published as Liverpool Council public inquiry: Councillor Peter Ristevski continues evidence
