‘Denied justice’: Doyle complainant raises questions during live stream of Melbourne City Council meeting

A woman who claims she was sexually harassed by former lord mayor Robert Doyle has raised questions at a Melbourne City Council meeting tonight. See the live stream of the meeting here.

One of Robert Doyle’s complainants says the Melbourne City Council must immediately release the findings of the investigation into sexual assault allegations against the former Lord Mayor. Picture: Nicole Garmston

A woman who claims she was sexually harassed by former lord mayor Robert Doyle has raised questions at a Melbourne City Council meeting tonight.

Kharla Williams attended the Future Melbourne Committee meeting and demanded that the council immediately release its independent review into the actions of Mr Doyle.

The meeting is being live streamed on the council’s website set to begin at 5.30pm.

FOLLOW LIVE: WATCH KHARLA SPEAK AT TONIGHT’S COUNCIL MEETING

Former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle leaves his South Melbourne home last year. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Ms Williams, who claims she was assaulted by Mr Doyle at a Melbourne Health dinner in 2016, asked several questions of Melbourne City Council CEO Justin Mr Hanney regarding the failure of the investigation to be resolved so far.

She referred to Mr Doyle’s inability to give evidence due to ill health as a “stunt”.

In response, Mr Hanney told the meeting that the deal struck with Mr Doyle over the Supreme Court action was appropriate.

Mr Hanney said it meant that Ian Freckelton QC could complete his investigation into Ms Williams’ allegations.

He said he appreciated that Ms Williams was upset and frustrated over the slow process of the investigation.

Dr Freckelton would ask Mr Doyle to participate in the ongoing investigation, he said.

Ms Williams has also tweeted her dissatisfaction with the council today.

“Enough is enough,” she tweeted.

Why wasn’t I told this by Cassandra Collier and Ben Rimmer when they first passed on the police name and contact? They had 8plus weeks to share this pertinent information before I formalised my statement with vicpol

— Kharla Williams (@KharlaWilliams) February 19, 2019

Enough is enough.

— Kharla Williams (@KharlaWilliams) February 19, 2019

Ahead of the meeting, city council CEO Justin Hanney confirmed that the city last week signed a confidential “deed of settlement” with Mr Doyle, which put a stop to Supreme Court action and arguments over the publication of a report by Ian Freckelton QC. That agreement saw all of the outcomes we at the City of Melbourne were trying to achieve, which was the finalisation of the Freckelton report … and the publication of that report,” Mr Hanney told ABC Radio today.

Before entering the meeting this afternoon Ms Williams said she wanted the report released and the council no longer to make “representations where they’re thinking of my interests”.

“I want answers and I’m not waiting,” she told media.

Ms Williams said she wanted to know if the council had checked if a police investigation had started.

Earlier, Mr Hanney said the findings might not be published in full.

“My advice was we may go to court, we may lose. If we lose we have no further avenue for Kharla Williams for this matter to be investigated by the City of Melbourne,” he said.

Ms Williams said she and her husband recently met with Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Mr Hanney, but were not told of the secret deal.

Mr Doyle has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Earlier, Ms Williams told the Sunday Herald Sun she was disappointed there was still no outcome from the inquiry 13 months since her initial complaint.

Robert Doyle during his time as Lord Mayor. Picture: Michael Dodge, Getty Images.

Last Friday Mr Doyle said he would not proceed with legal action in the Supreme Court, which blocked the continuation of the inquiry conducted by Ian Freckelton QC and the release of his report. However, the council have since said they will only release the report once a police investigation into the matter was complete.

Ms Williams said she was not contacted by the council to clarify what was in her best interests.

“What is in my interest is for the findings to be released immediately. Choosing not to release these findings appears to only benefit Mr Doyle and Melbourne City Council,” Ms Williams said.

“What is in my best interests after more than a year is for at least one outcome to be finalised”.

She urged council CEO Justin Hanney to “confirm that a civil finding would definitely impact a criminal investigation and that you have contacted Victoria Police to confirm this”.

In a statement, Mr Hanney said he welcomed “Mr Doyle’s decision as this means we can now proceed with finalising Dr Freckelton QC’s independent investigation”.

Robert Doyle in 2017. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

“We have always sought to ensure the independent investigation progressed as quickly as possible in the interest of all parties, as well as in the broader public interest in this matter,” he said.

“The City of Melbourne supports Ms Williams taking her complaint to Victoria Police, which has broad powers to investigate these allegations,” Mr Hanney said.

“When the police investigation is concluded, the findings of Dr Freckelton’s investigation can be made public and we reserve the right to do so in the best interests of all parties.”

Frustration over a lack of action by the council led Ms Williams to go to the police with her allegation that Mr Doyle touched her inappropriately at a black tie Melbourne Health dinner in 2016.

DOYLE GIVES UP FIGHT TO STOP RELEASE OF REPORT

It is understood that as many as 10 women have now gone to the police with allegations of Mr Doyle’s inappropriate behaviour while he was a teacher at Geelong College and during his time as Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Ms William said Mr Doyle’s decision to withdraw court proceedings is “a reflection of his awareness that he was acting in the role of Lord Mayor on the night of the Melbourne Health function in 2016”.

Mr Doyle has claimed the council had no right to investigate his actions at the 2016 function because he was not attending in his capacity as Lord Mayor. This led to the Supreme Court issuing an injunction, which was due to be heard on Monday.

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