MELTON mayor Kathy Majdlik will not stand down during an ongoing investigation by the local government inspectorate.
Cr Majdlik addressed a packed gallery at last week’s council meeting, rejecting claims she offered financial incentives in exchange for preferences from another candidate in last October’s council election.
On July 23 the Weekly reported that a source, who did not want to be named, said they had been formally interviewed by the inspectorate about claims they were contacted by Cr Majdlik in a bid to secure their preferences.
A spokesman for the inspectorate confirmed it had received six complaints about last October’s election. Five have been resolved.
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Cr Majdlik did not respond to repeated requests for comment. But at last week’s meeting she said there was no substance to the allegations.
“I have fully co-operated with the inspectorate during their investigation,’’ she said.
“However, I anticipate it will be some weeks before the inspectorate formally advises how the matter will proceed.
“I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until after that time and I will not be standing down in my position as an elected councillor and mayor of Melton City Council.”
Cr Broden Borg said Cr Majdlik should stand aside until the investigation is complete.
“I think given the seriousness of the allegations and given that it is affecting the council’s business, the councillor involved should step down until the matter has been resolved.”
Councillors Renata Cugliari and Bob Turner want the mayor to continue.
“As I don’t believe the accusations being made against a fellow councillor, I would not like to see them standing down,’’ Cr Turner said.
‘‘I believe the complainant is up to political mischief.”
Cr Lara Carli stated: “Corruption as alleged is an extremely serious breach of the trust that the people of Melton place in us.
“It is incumbent on each councillor to reach deep and make the right decision which would be expected by all residents.”
