The Victorian ombudsman has launched an investigation into local government accountability amid a flood of complaints to the watchdog.
There were 3410 complaints to the ombudsman in the past financial year including more than 70 about Melton council.
Ombudsman Deborah Glass’s investigation will scrutinise whether Victorian councils’ decision- making processes are transparent.
The probe will cover closed council meetings, special meetings, handling of confidential matters and the public availability of records.
Ombudsman Deborah Glass’s investigation will scrutinise whether councils’ decision- making processes are transparent. The probe will cover closed council meetings, special meetings, handling of confidential matters and the public availability of records.
In her submission to the review, Ms Glass said: “Secrecy in government can create conditions in which improper conduct and poor administration can flourish. It also fuels suspicions of wrongdoing and erodes community trust.
Star Weekly last year revealed more than a quarter of Melton council decisions were made behind closed doors in 2014, compared with the state average of 12.2 per cent and the interface fringe councils’ average of 19.27 per cent.
Melton council acting general manager Luke Shannon welcomed the investigation and said he believed the council, overall, was transparent.
“Council is committed to transparent decision making in the best interests of our community,” he said.
“Council welcomes the ombudsman’s investigation in the hope that the principles of transparency and good governance can be further improved.”
Ms Glass’s investigation comes as the state government launches a review into the Local Government Act.
