Demons board challenger Peter Lawrence calls for full-scale independent review of club
After an underwhelming season, the Dees now face the prospect of one of their greatest ever players walking out the door, leading to a Melbourne board challenger demanding an independent review.
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Melbourne board challenger Peter Lawrence has called for a full-scale independent review of the club’s operations.
Lawrence, who took the Demons to court this year over claims of a “closed shop” director election system, emailed tens of thousands of club members on Wednesday seeking support for an external review “to remove any internal biases”.
“Our season is over – we underachieved both on and off the field,” Lawrence’s email said.
“The CEO (Gary Pert) himself has acknowledged that we need a review. It should be an independent review. Let’s open ourselves up to outside voices.
“Let’s ask hard questions and work through solutions together. For example, where is the four year strategic plan that the board promised (in the 2023 annual report) would be delivered in February 2024?
“Only your voice will help us rebuild our club.”
Melbourne great David Schwarz called last week for a “top to bottom” review at the club after it was revealed superstar midfielder Christian Petracca wanted to be traded.
The Lawrence camp claimed it had received almost 1000 “yes” votes from members by 6pm on Wednesday.
The finance expert also took aim at Demons president Kate Roffey for declaring that the club would be seeking costs against him after a Federal Court judge last week ruled that the Dees did not have to amend their board election rules.
“The questionable decision-making continues; on further display in the triumphant tone of the president’s message sent last Thursday, rushed out at 10.30am, less than one hour after receiving a 34-page judgement,” Lawrence said.
“As he delivered the decision, Justice (David) O’Callaghan indicated his ‘preliminary view’ that it was ‘relatively clear’ that each party should bear its own costs. This is the outcome (his supporter group) ‘Deemocracy’ will be pressing for.
“Last week’s Federal Court decision demonstrates that the club only made important changes to its electoral processes because of the litigation brought by Deemocracy.
“The judge said, ‘Mr Lawrence’s dogged efforts to persuade the MFC to change its election rules and practices have already resulted in the MFC adopting many of the changes to the club’s rules along the lines of those for which he contended’.
“We now have a process which is more open, transparent and fair.
“The judgement is worth reading as it provides a good summary of off-field events of the last three-four years and shows how determined the board have been to protect its closed shop.
“This case would not have happened if the board had openly and genuinely engaged with Deemocracy and all MFC members from the beginning.”
Originally published as Demons board challenger Peter Lawrence calls for full-scale independent review of club
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