Heat is on Huon council

Lack of transparency concerns Seidel

AN Upper House MP has called for more transparency around the recruitment process for the new general manager’s position at Huon Valley Council.

Huon MP Bastian Seidel has criticised the handling of the appointment after it was revealed the candidate chosen for the role was in a relationship with the head of the recruitment agency contracted to assist in the selection process.

Mr Seidel said he had been contacted by community members unhappy with the process.

“The position of the Huon Valley council general manager is quite a significant one and there’s a pay packet of almost a quarter of a million dollars associated with it,” he said.

“At the very least, Huon Valley ratepayers should be expecting a recruitment process that’s based on principles, professionalism and transparency.”

After a review cleared the council of breaching the code of conduct, the council has not released it to the public or provided the key findings.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the appointed general manager or the recruiter.

Mr Seidel said many questions remained unanswered.

“I don’t understand why, in the 21st century, local government processes need to be conducted under the veil of secrecy,” he said.

“It shouldn’t be like this. “If there is nothing to hide, you should just release the report commissioned, that would be entirely appropriate and there’s no logical reason why that report or information from that report is held back.”

Mr Seidel said Huon Valley council general manager Jason Browne had been put in a difficult position.

“The candidate may have been the most appropriate candidate,” he said

“He’s literally started his job under a cloud, that’s not fair on him either.”

Mr Seidel will meet the director of local government Craig Limkin for a briefing on October 6.

He has also contacted the office of Local Government Minister Roger Jaensch three times for a meeting.

“Doing nothing is not part of his brief,” Mr Seidel said of Mr Jaensch.

“It’s to have active oversight over local councils and to ensure councils do function appropriately and, frankly, I think that involves the recruitment process of GM.”

The Mercury sought comment from Mr Jaensch, asking whether he was satisfied with the level of transparency.

“It is a matter for each council to ensure the recruitment process for the role of their general manager is fair and merit-based,” a government spokeswoman said.

“The Minister for Local Government and Planning has no role to play in the recruitment of a council’s general manager.”

The auditor general is reviewing the process.

“It’s just an auditing function, he doesn’t have any executive power,” Mr Seidel said.

“It’s the minister who does have the executive power.”

Some residents of the Huon Valley have told the Mercury they planning a protest meeting at council chambers this evening.