Cathy Oke speaks in public for first time since Doyle allegations

Councillor Cathy Oke told the council meeting she still felt unable to speak. Credit: Eddie Jim

One of the councillors who accused former lord mayor Robert Doyle of sexual harassment has spoken emotionally in public for the first time since the allegations became public in December.

Greens councillor Cathy Oke told a packed Melbourne City Council meeting at Town Hall on Tuesday night that, while she supported the continuing investigation into Mr Doyle’s behaviour, she felt “disempowered to speak” because a report that would finalise the probe had not yet been released.

It was Melbourne City Council's first meeting of 2018 and the first since Mr Doyle officially resigned on Monday.

A tearful Cr Oke also spoke out about inappropriate behaviour against women in politics.

"We know that women in all levels of government have experienced inappropriate behaviour towards them in their workplace,” Ms Oke said. “What I hope we can do is use the report to make a change for ourselves and our colleagues at the local government level that enables our workplace culture to support healthy political operations and human interactions."

Ms Oke also mentioned her “brave” former colleague Tessa Sullivan, who resigned after alleging Mr Doyle had harassed and indecently assaulted her.

Cr Oke said she remained supportive of the investigation and that she was “acutely aware of the considerable mental and physical stress key people are experiencing”.

She said that any form of sexual harassment in the workplace should be reported and acted upon.

Ms Sullivan’s mother, Lalanah Brujah, was among the former councillor's supporters in the audience.

She said she'd come to the meeting to support her daughter, who she described as "very brave".

Ms Brujah said her daughter had "given up her political career to do this", and wanted her children to grow up in a world where sexual harassment was not tolerated.

“She is very strong and obviously this has been a long time for her to make this decision – it did not come easily, and it’s not something one wants to do,” she said.

Tessa Sullivan's mother Lalanah Brujah outside Melbourne Town Hall.

Councillor Nicolas Frances Gilley said many people had found the saga confronting and difficult. "When this is being played out in public, the story is being led on the front page of newspapers, it becomes extraordinarily frightening for the people in the middle of it," Cr Gilley said.

"Cathy, thank you for being so strong, and also for Tessa for being willing to make a stand."

"It's clear ... that our behaviours, particularly the behaviours of men, have not been what the public should expect or what we should expect of ourselves."

Councillor Philip Le Liu also thanked Cathy Oke, and said how much he had enjoyed working with Tessa Sullivan.

"I remember the many times we talked about what we wanted to achieve in our four years here," he said. Mr Doyle has denied the allegations and questioned the legal process of the investigation into his behaviour.

The council’s chief executive Ben Rimmer told the meeting that he aimed to release the outcomes of the investigation publicly as soon as possible. It is unlikely he will release the full report.

He said Mr Doyle had been given the draft findings of the investigation into his behaviour last Tuesday, January 30.

Mr Doyle had one of only six copies of the report, and he was the only person outside lawyers acting for Melbourne City Council to have the draft document, Mr Rimmer said.

Acting lord mayor Arron Wood, right, and Keith Williamson.Credit: Eddie Jim

Acting lord mayor Arron Wood opened the meeting by thanking Ms Sullivan for her contribution on behalf of the council's chief executive and fellow councillors.

He also acknowledged Mr Doyle, noting he was the longest-serving lord mayor and saying he "will leave an indelible mark on our city".

In her remarks, Cr Oke said that victims should not feel their only option was to resign and that any woman who experienced unacceptable behaviour should feel able to report it.

Cr Oke said that she supported reviewing the council’s code of conduct. Under the existing situation, it was difficult for a councillor to know how to address harassment towards them, she said.

Mr Doyle had been on leave since mid-December, when Ms Sullivan resigned after making allegations he had harassed and indecently assaulted her.

Melbourne City Council chief executive Ben Rimmer.

Sexual harassment allegations from other women, including fellow councillor Cr Oke and photographer Dianne Mallas, followed.

After Ms Sullivan resigned, Mr Rimmer hired Dr Ian Freckelton to undertake an independent investigation into the allegations.

Mr Doyle's lawyer, Nick Ruskin, on Sunday said the former lord mayor – who is now in hospital with health issues – felt the process lacked "any semblance of natural justice".

But Ms Sullivan, described the process as "comprehensive", saying the investigation had been welcome by both the accuser and the accused.