By Aneeka Simonis
Ex-councillor says shire almost made her take her own life …
A FORMER Cardinia Shire councillor last week hijacked the new council’s first meeting to blame it for almost driving her to suicide.
In Kate Lempriere’s dramatic address to the gallery on Monday 12 December, she likened council to a family – and said she was a victim of violence perpetrated by that family after she was banned from talking to staff due to bullying allegations during her finals months on council.
Her accusation comes less than a month after Cardinia Shire Council was named one of the country’s few White Ribbon accredited workplaces.
Ms Lempriere, 70, who was unseated at the October election, was invited back to the council chambers to receive a service award after serving for three terms.
She accepted the award, and then went on to slam council for its alleged mistreatment of her – ironically in response to reports of her own misconduct toward staff.
Ms Lempriere has long denied allegations toward her – but Councillor Jodie Owen, a survivor of family violence, said she was disgusted by Ms Lempriere’s outburst.
She came out detailing the staff misconduct incidents she witnessed personally and said Ms Lempriere’s behaviour was “an insult to the community.”
“I was sitting at another table with my mouth open,” she said, recalling one incident.
“People are scared of her. People are intimidated. But I won’t be bullied or intimidated.”
The Gazette investigated misconduct allegations against Ms Lempriere for months.
Council were also tight-lipped throughout the whole ordeal, including suppressing documents sought under Freedom of Information (FoI).
But Cr Owen – who was then mayor – said they kept quiet because they “didn’t want to look like they were dirtying a councillor incumbent or breach staff confidentiality.”
After failing to be re-elected, Ms Lempriere wrote an explosive letter to the Gazette accusing CEO Gary McQuillan of acting “aggressive” and “intimidating” toward her before banning her from speaking to the majority of staff.
Mr McQuillan apologised for his behaviour toward Ms Lempriere, but she claimed his harsh words, failure to properly investigate staff claims coupled with councillors’ lack of support towards her drove her to consider taking her own life.
She also accused council of perpetrating violence toward her.
“Is not council a family? I want you to know as a survivor of this council family, I believed suicide was my only way out. I want you to know you let me down. I want the CEO to know that his sudden attack on my integrity shattered my trust and eroded my self-worth,” she said at the December council meeting.
“I was at 70 years age made to feel less than worthy to be alive.”
She went on to say her service award “meant nothing”, and that council staff “can’t be advocates against family violence” if their actions don’t reflect the values.
“You have to be aware of how you treat each other and how executives treat each other,” she said in her address.
Cr Owen was enraged to hear Ms Lempriere draw comparisons between family violence and her perceieved treatment at council.
“I was in a marriage with domestic violence. For her to stand there and compare it … I am sorry. No.“
Cr Owen earlier confirmed council did not have an appropriate policy in place to investigate and assess staff claims against Ms Lempriere, and that the Councillor Code of Conduct policy would be amended to remove “grey areas.”
As it stands, the 13-page policy provides guidance on matters between councillors only but that will soon change to make sure future allegations between councillors and staff will be put to a panel.
Mr McQuillan was contacted for comment, but did not respond.
Ms Lempriere was also contacted, but did not respond.
Mayor Brett Owen said it was not appropriate for him to comment.
Those in need of immediate assistance can phone Lifeline on 131 114.
Hear part of Ms Lempriere’s address to the council:
