Hickey faces code of conduct complaint

HOBART Lord Mayor Sue Hickey is the subject a code of conduct complaint made by a member of the public.

The Mercury can reveal that Alderman Hickey fronted a code of conduct panel hearing last week, after a complaint was made regarding her response to a letter sent to the council over its stance on Australia Day.

The council has copped criticism regarding its push for Australia Day to be shifted from January 26, with some ratepayers and politicians arguing local councils should stick to looking after roads, rates and rubbish.

The Mercury understands that Ald Hickey issued a strongly worded rebuttal in defence of the council’s actions, which landed her in front of the panel.

The result of last week’s hearing, and detail of the complaint itself, is expected to be known within the next two weeks.

When contacted by the Mercury, Ald Hickey said she was concerned as the hearings were supposed to be confidential.

But Ald Hickey did say because it related to a unanimous council decision and a council policy of social inclusion, she had vigorously defended the council’s position.

She said she was unable to make any further comment until a finding was made.

Last year, a new model for code of conduct complaints in Tasmania was introduced and an independent panel was formed to oversee the investigations into councillors accused of breaching the code.

Councils have to foot the bill for the expenses involved in the administration of the panel. Under the new code of conduct policy, an alderman or councillor will be dismissed from office if three complaints against that alderman or councillor are upheld.

In 2015, two of Ald Hickey’s fellow aldermen, Ald Peter Sexton and Ald Marti Zucco, lodged code of conduct complaints against her, but they were both dismissed.