A Melton councillor has criticised mayor Kathy Majdlik for using a
council advertisement to declare her innocence following a local
government inspectorate investigation.
The “ward talks” are typically used by councillors to inform residents of specific events happening in Melton’s three wards.
Cr Majdlik also addressed last week’s council meeting, refuting
claims that she offered an election candidate budget money in exchange
for preferences ahead of last October’s poll.
As reported in the Weekly, the inspectorate’s investigation ended on August 16, due to “insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution under Section 59 of the Local Government Act”.
In the advertisement and in last week’s speech Cr Majdlik said the
complaint alleged that she offered election candidate Nathan Miles
council funding for an improved animal management fund. Cr Broden Borg
said he believed the advertisement was an inappropriate use of
ratepayers’ money.
“I don’t think that was the right forum to name and shame
particular members of our community without them having the ability for a
right of reply,” he said.
“Residents look at ward talk to see what’s new in their ward, they
don’t want to read about personal circumstances of councillors.”
Residents have used a community social-media page operated by Cr Borg to complain about Cr Majdlik’s use of the advertisement.
However, the council’s chief executive, Kel Tori, said every
councillor was free to use the advertisements to make “any statement on
any topic they like”.
“As she is entitled, the mayor chose to use her scheduled column
to set the record straight in relation to unsustained allegations that
were widely reported in the press,” Mr Tori said.
“For the same reason, the mayor saw fit to make a public statement
in chambers during the last council meeting.” He said Cr Majdlik was
“absolutely entitled” to have her say in a public forum.
Mr Miles said he had been denied the chance to reply.
“I think it’s inappropriate that she’s used the ward talk to push her own agenda,” he said.
“It’s designed to inform constituents of things going on in the
area. It’s also inappropriate that she read the speech out at the
meeting.”
A spokesman for the inspectorate last week confirmed it was assessing another complaint received about last year’s election.
