Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Local Government spokesperson
The Minister for Local Government, Peter Gutwein, refused to act on the Integrity Commission report into issues at the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council, and inappropriate use of resources.
Councillor Michael Kent has kept the Integrity Commission’s report into allegedly corrupted processes he oversaw as previous Mayor, hidden from his own Council since August this year.
The Commission’s investigation surrounded processes used by the General Manager and other staff to allegedly gain personal advantage from Council resources.
As Minister for Local Government, Mr Gutwein is responsible for ensuring all councils are able to fulfil their requirements under the Local Government Act, including responding to the findings of this Integrity Commission report in a timely fashion.
Councillor Kent, a former Liberal Party member, continues to mothball the Integrity Commission’s findings. It appears as though he has contempt for the State’s watchdog and for good governance.
As Local Government Minister, Mr Gutwein could step in and end a ludicrous situation of the ex-Mayor holding his ratepayers in contempt. Instead, the Minister responded to the Greens’ question by saying, “it’s a matter between Councillor Kent and the Integrity Commission.”
Minister Gutwein previously ordered an investigation into the Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council in 2015 because of a raft of improper processes. It seems there’s been no contrition, or a commitment from the individuals to institute good governance.