CITY BULLYING SILENCE
THE State Government has been slammed for ignoring allegations of an ongoing culture of bullying at the City of Greater Geelong, despite sacking the council over such issues in 2016.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek refused to answer questions around serious concerns that bullying is “alive and well” at the council.
The State Opposition slammed the pair’s silence, accusing them of “massive hypocrisy” for dumping the GEELONG’S environmental warriors have welcomed a State Government move to ban all single-use plastic bags from shops by the end of the year.
The new legislation, which comes into effect on November 1, will stop all stores from selling or distribformer council then snubbing concerns that staff were still being bullied within the organisation.
Local government spokesman Tim Smith said it was uting thin plastic bags with a thickness of 35 microns or less.
The ban will come more than a year after major supermarkets phased out single-use plastic bags.
Geelong Sustainability group spokeswoman Noreen Nicholson said the ban was a “fantastic move” that would help protect the state’s rivers, clear the Premier had “no interest” in calling out a culture of workplace bullying at the City of Greater Geelong, despite his sacking of the previous council. oceans and wildlife from plastic pollution. “We have microplastics now in oceans and we need to do something,” Ms Nicholson said.
“Young people are now leading the charge for a much greater awareness around plastic pollution and the environment.”
The ban will apply to bags being provided at retail out
“I think we’ve got some massive hypocrisy going on here from the Andrews Government,” Mr Smith said. “I think the Andrews Labor Government are terribly conflicted with their policy towards the City of Greater Geelong.”
Both the Premier and Mr Somyurek refused to say whether they were concerned by the latest bullying allegations, and would not say if they were convinced the council has been able to restore good governance.
Mr Somyurek’s silence came after he moderated the roles of two municipal monilets including supermarkets, fashion boutiques, fast food outlets, convenience stores and service stations.
The State Government is also working with retailers, industries and community to develop an action plan to cut other types of plastic pollution.
Ms Nicholson said major supermarkets should now tors who had been overseeing the council since its 2016 sacking. In February the pair were given a “watching brief”, but Mr Somyurek praised them for doing an “outstanding job” in helping the council restore good governance.
Fresh bullying concerns within the City of Greater Geelong were raised by a longserving council employee last month, who claimed workers did not complain to management for fear of reprisals. The worker told the Advertiser that bullying at City Hall was “worse than it’s ever been”.
Bullying concerns have look at reducing plastic packaging on fruit and vegetables and other food goods.
State Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said plastic created a significant environmental problem and Victorians were overwhelmingly supportive of banning single-use plastic shopping bags. been raised by the Australian Services Union, multiple former workers, a sitting councillor, Ratepayers Geelong and the psychologist who was a major player in the 2016 sacking of council.
Following the reports, Geelong chief executive Martin Cutter announced he would review the council’s processes for dealing with bullying.
Leaked emails from Mr Cutter last week revealed his admission of a “long” list of bullying investigations at City Hall from recent years, and his move to protect the organisation’s “brand”.