By Aneeka Simonis
A COUNCILLOR seeking re-election has allegedly been banned from speaking to the majority of Cardinia Shire Council workers.
The Gazette has been investigating complaints lodged against Cr Kate Lempriere for two months, but she and council have repeatedly refused to answer to the claims.
Council last week denied the release of several documents sought under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act.
The council identified the nine documents relevant to questions of the ban, including an incident report by a staff member in April and a letter he personally addressed to ‘a councillor’.
CEO Garry McQuillan said that releasing those documents would not be in the public interest if it meant disclosing information obtained in confidence from members of staff.
His decision to deny the release of information was handed down just eight days before council election votes close.
A number of council sources, including current councillors, have told the Gazette that Cr Lempriere has been banned from speaking to all junior members of council staff.
It’s understood she can now only trade words or emails with fellow councillors, senior department managers and Mr McQuillan.
The ban is said to have been imposed after complaints from two members of council staff.
Cr Lempriere, a long serving councillor, has denied all allegations.
“I haven’t any comment for that … I don’t know anything about the ban. Of course I am able to speak to all members of council,” she said.
“Everyone always tries to have a go at me.”
The Gazette has made multiple attempts at uncovering council information about the alleged ban, including at their final pre-caretaker council meeting in September, but has been repeatedly snubbed.
It’s been put to council that such information was in voters’ public interest as they headed into an election, but council cited confidentiality reasons for refusing to answer questions.
The Gazette filed an FoI request with council in early September, asking for the release of internal memos, emails and letters relating to the alleged ban.
Council took over a month to come back with its response to refuse access to nine “relevant” documents, which included four emails from a staff member to the CEO, a statement from a staff member regarding an incident on 26 April, a letter from the CEO to a councillor and a phone call.
Some of the exchanges happened within a week of the State Government threatening to oust all Cardinia Shire councillors over failure to comply with code of conduct agreements.
All nine were to be replaced by administrators until the Saturday 22 October election, but the decision was overturned for the sake of ratepayers.
In a statement, Mr McQuillan said releasing the documents identified by the FoI would result in the unreasonable disclosure of personal information obtained in confidence, so would undermine staff trust in council.
“Its release would be contrary to the public interest by reasons that the disclosure would be reasonably likely to impair council’s ability to obtain similar information in the future,” he wrote.
The Gazette requested personal information be redacted and the documents released, but was denied.
It’s understood many Victorian councillors including those at Casey Council are not allowed to speak with or direct staff below manager level.
However, Cardinia Shire councillors are allowed to speak with all shire staff, a privilege allegedly taken away from Cr Lempriere.
Votes close for the council election at 6pm on Friday 21 October.
Cr Lempriere is one of eight candidates vying for one of four Central Ward seats.
