IBAC finds former Moonee Valley mayor received cocaine to wield influence

A former Moonee Valley mayor received cocaine and other kickbacks in exchange for directly influencing council decisions on property-related matters, a bombshell anti-corruption probe has found.

IBAC has found former Moonee Valley mayor Cam Nation received kickbacks in exchange for influencing council decisions.

A former mayor in Melbourne’s inner northwest wielded his power to directly influence council decisions in exchange for cocaine and other kickbacks, a bombshell anti-corruption probe found.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) on Wednesday released its findings into a 17-month probe into the scandal-plagued Moonee Valley Council, which exposed former councillor Cam Nation’s dodgy dealings with an unidentified construction manager.

It found that Mr Nation and his partner received cocaine to improperly influence property-related matters on behalf of the construction manager.

“(My partner) wants a little bit of cheek (cocaine) … I’ll sort out (street address of the business in the municipality) for it,” Mr Nation said, according to messages presented to IBAC.

IBAC has delivered a report into a group of City of Moonee Valley councillors. Picture: AAP

In June 2021, Mr Nation tried to fast-track a planning application – submitted by the construction manager – after being offered seven grams “of the best” cocaine.

Later that year, Mr Nation was again offered “14 of the best” – a reference to 14 grams of cocaine – if he supported a planning permit submitted by a relative of the construction manager.

While Mr Nation requested the address of that property, IBAC was unable to determine if the matter progressed.

The investigation — dubbed Operation Leo, and released on the eve of council elections — also found that two other councillors, Narelle Sharpe and Jacob Bettio, alongside Mr Nation, used their positions to influence council decisions in favour of the Essendon Royals Soccer Club.

This came at the expense of other local sporting groups, IBAC said.

The investigation found that the construction manager that Mr Nation had inappropriate dealings with is an associate of the soccer club’s president.

IBAC heard about a bribery scheme where councillors would share in a payment between $15,000 and $50,000 as an incentive to vote favourably on behalf of the club.

The council decisions included awarding funding to the soccer club, and approving its full-time access to Cross Keys Reserve sports facility, where Jason Moran was gunned down in 2003.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne appointed municipal monitors to the council at the start of 2024. Picture: Alison Wynd

While IBAC did not find any evidence that councillors received payments, it found that several of them received other inducements, including dinners paid for by the Essendon Royals Soccer Club, free club memberships and an invitation to an event.

“These councillors consciously engaged in voting on MVCC matters related to the ERSC, despite receiving undeclared hospitality from the ERSC, and they actively sought to secure votes to grant the ERSC exclusive access to Cross Keys Reserve and Pavilion, outside of formal MVCC meetings,” the report stated.

Ms Sharpe and Mr Bettio, who are both recontesting, issued statements on Wednesday.

Ms Sharpe said the report cleared her of bribery and corruption.

“There is no finding of a ‘material conflict of interest’ and there is no action to be taken against me,” she said in a statement.

“I can now move on, and focus on being re-elected to represent my wonderful community that is Moonee Valley.”

Narelle Sharpe says the report has cleared her of bribery and corruption. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Bettio, who received a club membership while attending the soccer club’s 2023 season launch, said he accepted that was an “error of judgement”.

“This card in no way impacted my decision making with respect to any motion or Council decision. I am deeply disappointed that IBAC failed to disclose the other Councillors who received a membership card, and I feel that I have been unfairly targeted,” he said.

“Going forward I will work hard to improve apparent governance issues and improve transparency at Moonee Valley and within the sector.”

Mr Nation, who this year sensationally blindsided colleagues by logging on to a virtual council meeting and resigning with immediate effect, was contacted for comment.

IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott said the investigation highlighted the “significant risks associated with councillors misusing their positions for personal advantage and at the expense of the public interest”.

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne appointed municipal monitors to the council at the start of this year. She extended their tenure until February 28 last year.

Originally published as IBAC finds former Moonee Valley mayor received cocaine to wield influence