Councillor Geoff Ablett breaks silence over City of Casey bribery scandal

Councillor Geoff Ablett has hit back at accusations he took bribes for influencing planning decisions in the City of Casey, amid claims he received hundreds of thousands in payments from wealthy Melbourne property developer John Woodman.

Councillor Geoff Ablett has denied he took bribes for influencing planning decisions in the City of Casey. Picture: AAP/James Ross.

Councillor Geoff Ablett has denied he took bribes for influencing planning decisions in the City of Casey.

Cr Ablett, 64, has vowed to fully co-operate when he testifies under oath at the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on Wednesday.

Cr Ablett has been accused of receiving $330,000 in payments over years from wealthy Melbourne property developer John Woodman.

On Saturday, Cr Ablett said it was time to “fight back after a week of character assassinations” over allegations he vehemently denies.

“I have never been interviewed by anyone on any of these matters yet on Wednesday in front of the public and media I will be asked questions by IBAC to which I will fully co-operate,” Cr Ablett said.

Councillor Geoff Ablett said it was time to “fight back”.

“For people to make allegations without even talking to the person in question is not in my mind a fair justice system.

“I have never done anything for John Woodman in council chamber voting. Talk is cheap but what really matters is if I actually voted or not.”

The two-time Hawthorn Premiership player has been a Cranbourne councillor for 11 years and three times mayor of Casey.

But Cr Ablett said he knew he had a conflict of interest and played no role in approving the projects.

“I signed an agreement with John Woodman 10 years ago where we agreed I would never support his business Watsons in council or the Wolfdene development business of his son Heath,” Cr Ablett said from his Junction Village home.

“I have strictly adhered to that agreement and have never voted in council in matters relating to John Woodman or his son.

“Council records, which will be produced on Wednesday, will support my history. I have always been acutely aware of a potential conflict of interest and acted accordingly.”

Cr Ablett with a horse he co-owns with property developer John Woodman.

The IBAC inquiry has heard allegations against another former mayor, Sam Aziz, of pocketing $900,000 from property developers, including $25,000 a month for advice on “smart cities”. Cr Ablett and Cr Aziz are not on speaking terms.

“It’s not for me to judge Sam Aziz but I will not sit back and have my name and that of my family smeared,” Cr Ablett said.

“Yes, John Woodman and I have had horses together for the past 10 years where he has contributed around $150,000 for all aspects of horse care and racing.

“He has also paid me a $150,000 deposit for a property I own in Mountain View, south of Warragul. The total price is $350,000.

“He also paid $15,000 off my credit card in 2015, an amount I repaid within three months.”

On Wednesday, Cr Ablett will be grilled about the Cranbourne West C219 Precinct, the Hall Rd H3 intersection and Pavilion Estate in Clyde.

“I was not in the room to vote on any of those three issues as Watsons were involved. In each case I declared a conflict of interest,” he said.

“So where is the corruption? Yes, I had conversations with people about those projects but always knew I would not be voting on them.

“If anyone had a conflict of interest and voted, that would be a form of corruption, and if anyone received remuneration for their vote, that would be even more serious.”

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