Wilkie hits out at Glenorchy delay

THE latest delay in the Glenorchy City Council inquiry is "ridiculous”, according to independent Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie, who has repeated his support for suspended Glenorchy mayor Kristie Johnston.

The board of inquiry set up to investigate the council said it had agreed to requests to give aldermen and senior management more time to respond to its draft report.

“[The inquiry] has already been running for almost two years and cost near on $1 million,” Mr Wilkie said.

“For some aldermen to still need more time to review the evidence relating to them beggars belief.

“Frankly, the public interest is being trashed by the constant sabotage of the inquiry.”

The May 11 deadline was extended until June 1, then June 21.

When asked if the extension would give enough time to respond, suspended alderman Jenny Branch-Allen said there was a great deal of information to go through.

“My whole goal is to ensure fairness and that’s what I’ll do right through this process,” Ms Branch-Allen said.

Suspended alderman Harry Quick said he had not requested an extension.

Mr Quick said he was disappointed that the “true facts regarding Glenorchy councillors’ response to the board of inquiry” were not made public.

“Because of the privacy and confidentiality that we’re all sworn to, key people aren’t able to explain to the ratepayers who is doing what and why,” he said.

Mr Wilkie said the inquiry into the council had been needed.

“The State Government has set up a legitimate process to investigate the dysfunction in the council and to bring the troublesome aldermen to account and it must be allowed to run its course unimpeded,” he said.

Mr Wilkie said suspended mayor Kristie Johnston — who has also expressed concerns about the delay — had his “full support”.

There was speculation earlier this year that Mr Wilkie would endorse Ms Johnston as a state election candidate.

Ms Johnston yesterday said her focus continued to be Glenorchy City Council and ensuring the board of inquiry process was completed.

She said she had not discussed a tilt at state politics with Mr Wilkie. loretta.lohberger@news.com.au