MP: Immediate inquiry needed
DUBBO MP Dugald Saunders supports the push for an independent investigation into alleged misconduct at Dubbo Regional Council and says the issue is more than just political plotting at work.
“There’s been a lot of things alleged,” he said. “This is not just political game playing.”
Council met in Committee of the Whole on Monday to further discuss last week’s Mayoral Minute recommending an inquiry into alleged bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation and abuse of power.
A confidential report was to be prepared to outline the terms under which the investigation would be conducted.
Mr Saunders said it was beneficial for the matter to be discussed privately before being made public.
“Until an investigation is done properly it needs to be kept out of the public eye,” he said. “It needs to be dealt with properly, that is the point of an independent assessment.
“People might suggest it should be done in public but there needs to be some kind of proper proceedings. Everything being discussed in the public eye can lead to problems.
At some point we need to be going forward but it doesn’t need to be for the first time.”
Mr Saunders has spoken to Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock about the issues being experienced by Dubbo Regional Council.
“She is disappointed that it’s got to this point and is also supportive of an independent investigation.”
He also said it’s more than an internal controversy and extends across the local community.
“I’ve had quite a few people who have come to me – people who want to tell their stories but won’t tell them for fear of retribution. There’s a lot of fear around that and to get a sense of right being done.”
Mr Saunders hopes to see an inquiry begin immediately.
“Most people would agree that it’s the way forward,” he said.
“We do want things to be done in the right way and it needs to be done as soon as possible.”