Report on Robert Doyle sexual harassment allegations could be discussed at council meeting

A MELBOURNE city council meeting is likely to release a summary of the findings of the sexual harassment investigation involving Lord Mayor Robert Doyle — but it is not yet known how much will be made public.

A MELBOURNE city council meeting next week is likely to release a summary of the findings of the sexual harassment investigation involving Lord Mayor Robert Doyle.

An agenda for Tuesdays’ meeting will be released on Thursday; however, it’s unlikely to reveal any details of the probe by top silk Ian Freckelton.

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood said today he was yet to see Dr Freckelton’s report.

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“(But) I think that it would be unlikely that the outcomes weren’t made public,” he told ABC Radio.

“We are in uncharted territory, and the process itself getting QC Ian Freckelton involved as an independent investigator to give natural justice to all parties involved … that’s really important.”

Emma Page-Campbell with her husband Robert Doyle in Flinders Lane. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Acting Lord Mayor Arron Wood is unsure if the report will be made public.

It’s understood Tuesday’s meeting could include council management making recommendations to councillors as to how to proceed with the report’s findings.

Council chief executive Ben Rimmer has the power to refer any adverse findings against the Lord Mayor to the Local Government Inspectorate.

Cr Doyle’s legal team is believed to have the report and will receive the chance to respond by Friday.

The Lord Mayor has been on leave since mid-December when former Team Doyle member Tessa Sullivan resigned from council and accused him of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

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Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and former councillor Tessa Sullivan. Picture: David Caird

This included an allegation that he touched her breast when she was being given a lift home in the lord mayoral car after a council meeting.

Cr Doyle has denied the claim and it’s understood that his driver has also given evidence disputing it.

Other evidence given to Dr Freckelton’s inquiry included friendly text messages sent by Ms Sullivan to the Lord Mayor and other councillors after some of the most serious claims of sexual harassment and indecent assault are alleged to have occurred.

The City of Melbourne has refused to comment on the investigation, other than to say “the priority is ensuring the investigation and reporting process is appropriately thorough and conducted with fairness and natural justice afforded to all parties”.

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