In a recent meeting at Liverpool Council, Councillor Ristevski submitted a motion seeking advice from Mayor Mannoun on whether he should remain as spokesperson in light of a public inquiry. Mannoun was absent from the meeting, citing illness during the final days of Ramadan. The council has seen a significant increase in code of conduct complaints since the new council was elected, with 67 complaints received compared to just five in the previous year. The complaints are being processed at an estimated cost of $346,386, and some have been referred to external reviewers.
The report did not disclose which councillors were the subject of complaints or whether any breaches had been found. The council is taking these complaints seriously, with some being referred to the Office of Local Government for investigation due to the burden they are placing on staff and the effective functioning of the council. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig referred to the allegations at Liverpool Council as the worst he has seen. An Office of Local Government spokeswoman stated that they would not be intervening in matters that the council should be managing in accordance with the Local Government Act.
The Minns government initiated a public inquiry into Liverpool Council following an investigation by the Office of Local Government that uncovered widespread dysfunction in staffing, financial management, development assessments, and regulatory probity. Barrister Ross Glover was appointed to lead the inquiry, which aims to address the issues identified within the council. The inquiry will likely shed light on the underlying causes of the dysfunction and recommend necessary changes to improve the council’s operations.
Council spokespersons declined to comment on the code of conduct complaints, highlighting that the majority of councillors adhere to the code of conduct framework. However, the significant increase in complaints and the referral of some to external reviewers suggest that there may be issues within the council that need to be addressed. As the public inquiry progresses, more information may come to light regarding the specific allegations and potential breaches of the code of conduct by councillors.
While Mayor Mannoun acknowledged his absence from the recent council meeting, he defended his decision due to feeling unwell during Ramadan. Despite his absence, Mannoun has been active in attending council events such as citizenship ceremonies. Ristevski’s motion regarding Mannoun’s role as spokesperson during the public inquiry signals potential tensions within the council that may need to be addressed in order to ensure smooth operations and effective governance. The outcome of the public inquiry and any resulting recommendations may be crucial in determining the future direction of Liverpool Council.
