Melbourne councillors’ first meeting since Robert Doyle claims emerged
A MELBOURNE city councillor who says she was sexually harassed by Robert Doyle has broken her silence during a tearful address at Town Hall. It comes as a high profile society figure is said to be considering a run for Lord Mayor.
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A MELBOURNE city councillor who says she was sexually harassed by former lord mayor Robert Doyle on Tuesday night broke her silence during a tearful address to a Town Hall meeting.
A highly emotional Cr Cathy Oke called for a review of the city council’s code of conduct, and said that former councillor Tessa Sullivan had been brave in lodging a sexual harassment complaint against Mr Doyle.
However, the Greens councillor, who claimed Mr Doyle groped her thigh at a restaurant in 2014, said she was frustrated that the investigation of Mr Doyle was not at an end.
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“Without a conclusion I continue to feel disempowered to speak, nor have the ability to speak up for a colleague who was very brave,” she said.
“This is not about politics, this is about people.”
Cr Oke wept during her address, which was applauded by hundreds of people gathered in the public gallery.
Ms Sullivan’s resignation last December and her accusations against Mr Doyle triggered a council investigation.
Mr Doyle, who has been admitted to hospital with a serious illness, has denied any wrongdoing, and through his lawyers has claimed he has been denied natural justice.
It has emerged that high profile society figure Ann Peacock is said to be considering a
run for Lord Mayor.
A senior state Coalition identity told the Herald Sun last night that the true blue Liberal was interested in the job.
Ms Peacock is the daughter of party legend Andrew Peacock, who was federal leader for many years.
He held the seat of Kooyong in Melbourne’s affluent east.
Ms Peacock, who has previously been linked to lord mayoral runs as a deputy, has been contacted for comment.
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City of Melbourne chief executive officer Ben Rimmer, who ordered the probe into the claims against Mr Doyle, said on Tuesday night that the report of Dr Ian Freckelton, QC, had not been finalised, but his intention was that it become public.
He said Ms Sullivan had shown courage in approaching him about her allegations, and he revealed he had tried to dissuade her from resigning.
Rimmer says Tessa Sullivan was courageous to speak up. Tried to dissuade Ms Sullivan from resigning.
— Ian Royall (@IanRoyall) February 6, 2018
He said her complaint had raised an “immediate and urgent” occupational health and safety issue and “it was clear to me we had to resolve this situation as quickly as possible”.
The integrity of the inquiry had been his key objective, but he noted the “evident distress” of the complainants.
Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood, who was part of Mr Doyle’s team, thanked the former mayor for his “significant contribution” to Melbourne.
“He will leave an indelible mark on our city,” he said.
Some councillors called for changes to how the council handles sexual harassment claims. Mr Rimmer said the council would have to change some policies and consider updating its code of conduct.
Also on Tuesday night, a former mayor of Moreland, Oscar Yildiz, announced he would run for Melbourne lord mayor.
State Property Council boss Sally Capp is firming as an early favourite, should she run.
The state Property Council executive director is considering her options and has already received solid praise as a capable administrator with broad links across business and government.
Mr Doyle, whose resignation was exclusively reported by heraldsun.com.au on Sunday night, said through his lawyer that he had been denied natural justice and had asked the presumption of innocence.
Mr Rimmer said on Monday there were many issues of current public debate that he couldn’t comment on.
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“However, what I will say is that the investigation process commenced and was undertaken from a presumption of innocence, as it should,” he said.
Mr Doyle’s accuser, former councillor Tessa Sullivan, reportedly said in a statement that the probe had initially been welcomed by “both the accuser and accused” and had been comprehensive.
Several declared and potential lord mayoral candidates have emerged, with Ms Capp firming as an early favourite is she decides to run.
“I am doing my homework, taking soundings from leaders and others around the city before making any decisions,” she told the Herald Sun.
Ms Capp’s previous roles include head of the Committee for Melbourne, Victorian Agent- General in London and senior jobs with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ANZ.
Businessman Gary Morgan, who intends to run for lord mayor again, said Ms Capp would be perfect for the job.
Other possible candidates include former councillor Ken Ong, former federal MP Phil Cleary, a Greens member, and Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood.
If Cr Wood ran and lost, he would be able to return to his original position as Deputy Lord Mayor.
If he won, a separate by-election would be needed for the deputy position.
Mr Kennett said that the new lord mayor would need to know the city intimately, have solid governance skills and have good relations with the state government.
“(Mr Doyle) was a very good lord mayor for a number of years, well connected, intelligent, a very good advocate,” he said.
Legendary socialite Peter Janson has praised Mr Doyle’s record as lord mayor.
“He’s the best lord mayor we’ve ever had, at least since I arrived in Australia,” he said.
Mr Janson, who has lived on and off in the CBD since the 1960s, said that Mr Doyle would be sadly missed.
“”He’s done so much for Melbourne. He’s been on the go, go, go better than anyone I’ve seen,” he told the Herald Sun.
Mr Janson said he had never been involved in politics and was speaking as a businessman.
Cr Beverley Pinder-Mortimer, a Team Doyle member, said that Mr Doyle and his family should be proud of his contribution as lord mayor.
At the 2016 city council election, Greens contender Olivia Ball, picked up 21.27 per cent of first-preference votes, behind Mr Doyle’s 44.62 per cent. Mr Cleary was third with 10.89 per cent.
Businesswoman and philanthropist Susan Alberti has also been touted as a possible contender but on Monday would only say that the city needed strong and bold leadership
“At this stage it is too early to speculate on who is best equipped to become the next Lord Mayor,’’ Ms Alberti said.
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