Melbourne City council calls for laws on sexual harassment

COUNCILLORS accused of sexual harassment at work would be stood down by the local government body under a City of Melbourne proposal.

COUNCILLORS accused of sexual harassment at work would be stood down by the local government body under a City of Melbourne proposal.

The city council wants the state government to specifically include sexual harassment and sexual misconduct processes in new municipal laws in the wake of the scandal that engulfed former lord mayor Robert Doyle.

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He stood aside in December following allegations by former councillor Tessa Sullivan, which he denied. At the same time, city chief executive Ben Rimmer announced an independent investigation of the claims by Ian Freckelton, QC.

Former lord mayor Robert Doyle resigned after being engulfed in a sexual harassment scandal. Picture: AAP

However, in a submission to the Municipal Association of Victoria, the city council said current codes of conduct lacked procedures relating to sexual harassment allegations by or between councillors.

“Nor are they required to have failsafe mechanisms for use when the complaint is against the mayor,” it said.

City council chief executive Ben Rimmer. Picture: Kris Reichl

The council wants the government to appoint a person “to protect an alleged victim by requiring the alleged perpetrator to stand down or not attend the workplace”. The motion will be put to the MAV state council next month.

Mr Doyle resigned in March and a by-election is being held for his replacement.

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