Former Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Debbie Wisby accused of code of conduct breach

Former Glamorgan Spring Bay Mayor Debbie Wisby fronted the Hobart Magistrates Court by phone last week accused of breaching code of conduct >>

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Former Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Debbie Wisby fronted the Hobart Magistrates Court by phone last week, following allegations she breached the Local Government Act.

Ms Wisby is charged with two counts of Improper use of Information and two counts of Misuse of Office.

She resigned from her position as mayor midway through her four year term in July last year with claims “unfair criticism” severely impacted her health and wellbeing.

Former Glamorgan-Spring Bay mayor Debbie Wisby. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

Her resignation followed a string of events including claims of bullying and harassment levelled at Ms Wisby, along with allegations of breaches of the council’s code of conduct.

Court documents alleged the former mayor gained information that two acting general managers were separately seeking accommodation during their tenures in 2019 between May 6 and August 8 and that Ms Wisby allegedly improperly used that information to indirectly or directly gain an advantage for herself or a member of her family

The documents allege $1800 of council funds was provided to Ms Wisby when former acting general manager Ian Pearce stayed at her Triabunna B&B with a further $1500 paid for the stay of former acting general manager Harry Galea.

The expenses were questioned at the Glamorgan Spring Bay’s September council meeting in 2019 after an anonymous letter was lodged by ratepayers.

During the meeting, Ms Wisby said she had “good knowledge of the Local Government Act” and she believed the decision was not in breach.

At the time, Ms Wisby also noted she had only received positive feedback “in relation to the low rate charged of $300 per week for a fully furnished home inclusive of cleaning/ laundering.”

Ms Wisby is yet to enter a plea and was bailed to reappear in court in December.