Chance for new start

KELVIN Spiller’s remembered contribution to the civic life of Geelong will be that he competently managed the sacking of a dysfunctional and polarised council mired in bullying issues.

The existence of that Geelong council’s bullying problem was initially denied, and after the mass sacking sheepishly admitted, and more recently downplayed.

These last 18 months may have witnessed an underwhelming performance from the administrators but they have also been a circuit breaker that has allowed everyone to take a breath before returning to the polls.

The election, like all free elections, was ultimately a victory for people power, so was the fact it was not delayed for years more of administrator rule.

But, as we have seen in other areas, those who regard themselves as mis conduct busting white knights are also capable of breaking the rules in their own way. There were some questionable decisions during Mr Spiller’s time as CEO.

One of them was appearing side by side with the mayor as the council imploded to demand the State Government allow the same council to gouge more money out of ratepayers than the rates cap allowed.

Another was not naming and shaming those that were being managed out as part of the solution to the bullying culture.

This kept the public in the dark as to whether those officers were getting ‘golden handshake’ payouts and whether they were being unwittingly hired in other parts of the public service.

It also created a secretive veil under which council staff were moved on (or promoted), the legality of which may become clearer over time.

Some of the new council — and not just returned sackees — have taken an interest in the sudden exit of finance director Joanne Moloney under Mr Spiller.

Mr Spiller may be moving on for his own reasons. But he will no doubt face a quieter life in whatever he chooses to do next than if he had stuck around the new City Hall.