Simon Overland: Pay me double to sack me

Simon Overland asked Whittlesea Council to double his termination payment to $200,000 just over a week before the Lawyer X scandal broke, a document shows.

Simon Overland asked Whittlesea Council to double his termination payment to $200,000 just over a week before the Lawyer X scandal broke, a document shows.

The Herald Sun understands that the High Court ruled in mid November to tell convicted criminals their cases may have been tainted because their lawyer was a police informer, rejecting the Victoria Police bid to suppress the scandal.

Mr Overland, in a memorandum dated November 23, sought an increased termination payment from three months to six months’ pay, according to a document.

The Lawyer X story broke when the High Court decision was released on Monday, December 3, with the State Government announcing a Royal Commission into the fiasco that day.

LAWYER X IN BALI

THE LAWYER X SCANDAL

COUNCILLORS BOYCOTT OVERLAND

CEO Simon Overland leaves the Whittlesea Council meeting this week. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Overland has not responded to questions, sent via the council, about whether he knew of the High Court’s ruling before he asked for the termination pay increase.

A special council meeting has been called for next Tuesday to discuss a contractual matter, believed to be Mr Overland’s pay request.

Mr Overland, whose total package reaches almost $400,000 a year, wrote that he was not seeking a pay rise this year, but did want a change to clause 15 in his employment contract regarding termination.

“I would request that this clause be changed to simply provide for the payment of 6 month’s remuneration on termination under this clause,” he wrote in the document.

“It was an oversight on my part not ask for this change when I negotiated my remuneration arrangements.”

The pay claim was discussed at the Whittlesea Council meeting on Tuesday night as part of confidential business.

Whittlesea mayor Lawrie Cox has backed Mr Overland, who was at the meeting.

The under siege former police commissioner has previously labelled reports of his conduct as “rubbish.”

Lawyer X was involved in legal cases with Tony Mokbel

Liana Thompson, director of partnerships, planning and engagement at Whittlesea council said in response to questions about Mr Overland’s contract: “Matters relating to the CEO’s employment contract are always dealt with in the confidential part of the Council Meeting.

“A Special Council Meeting has been called for next Tuesday 19 December at 6.30pm. As the meeting relates to contractual matters, it will not be open to the members of the public and dealt with in camera as a confidential item.”

It can also be revealed the council hired Sanjib Roy, a former Victoria Police colleague of Mr Overland, as the council’s human resources manager.

Mr Roy was hired as the Whittlesea Council’s manager of people and culture, overseeing the council’s 800 staff, but only works part time “at his request”.

He worked as the director of human resources at Victoria Police between 2002 and 2008.

Mr Overland was working as assistant commissioner (crime) and deputy commissioner during that period.

Sanjib Roy when he was chief executive of Yooralla. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Thompson said Mr Roy’s link with Mr Overland was disclosed when he was appointed through a recruitment agency process.

“Mr Roy was found to be the most suitable candidate,” she said.

Mr Roy formerly ran the Metropolitan Ambulance Service, but was criticised for his evidence at a Royal Commission into the agency led by then QC, now judge, Lex Lasry.

He moved on to work as chief executive of Yooralla.

Ms Thompson said Mr Roy’s background was checked before his appointment.

“The City of Whittlesea reviews the employment history of all potential staff as part of its recruitment process,” she said.

“Mr Roy’s past experience, including at the Metropolitan Ambulance Service, Department of Health and Human Services and Victoria Police was considered during the recruitment process.”

Mr Roy did not return calls from the Herald Sun.

A spokesman for Local Goverment Minister Adem Somyurek said in response to questions that he should remove Mr Overland: “Under the Local Government Act, Councillors are responsible for the employment of their CEO.”

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