May 10th, 2024The Inspectorate and … that leaked document
In October last year The Local received a leaked document, via a USB drive, regarding the report by the Local Government Inspectorate into Hepburn Shire Council and dealings with The Rex. And a few other things.
The document arrived a week after The Local had emailed the Inspectorate to ask why the report had not been released and received an email back saying the Inspectorate was unable to share any information at that time.
The Local also contacted Hepburn Shire Council at the time with CEO Bradley Thomas saying the council had been in regular contact with the Local Government Inspectorate regarding the release of the report and “we have been calling for the release for some time – we can’t speculate on the reasons for the delay, but encourage you to contact the LGI directly”.
After a column by Donna Kelly on the receipt of the leaked document, The Local was asked to deliver the drive and any associated paperwork to the Inspectorate.
Last Wednesday, May 1, after receiving a media release … stating the state government has introduced new legislation to improve council governance and integrity standards, The Local wrote again to the Local Government Inspectorate asking when the report would be released.
It also wrote the same day to the media advisor of Local Government Department Minister Melissa Horne, who sent out the release, asking how the new legislation would help the people of Hepburn Shire uncover what had happened with their ratepayer dollars.
No reply was received from either department before press time.
The Local Government Inspectorate’s charter is “Encouraging higher standards of integrity, accountability and transparency in local government”.
And the state government continues to release media releases about legislation which will “elevate governance and integrity standards in Victoria’s 79 councils” and that “since the last council elections in 2020, 56 councillors have resigned and 11 councils have had municipal monitors appointed as a result of governance issues”.
That is all fine and dandy for those councils, but every Hepburn Shire ratepayer has the right to know what happened to their rates – and how long it will impact the delivery of services to the region. Until then, where is the integrity? And most of all, where did our rates go?
Words: Donna Kelly
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