Tate probe ramps up
Misconduct case finalised
MAYOR Tom Tate is facing disciplinary action for suspected misconduct as the Office of Independent Assessor ramps up a complaint by a fellow councillor.
The Bulletin can reveal the OIA legal team has been asked to prepare a case to take before the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.
In cases involving allegations of misconduct, an independent tribunal determines the outcome rather than the complaint being handed back to council.
A complaint to the OIA by Councillor Glenn Tozer alleges Councillor Tate inappropriately directed CEO Dale Dickson to cease disciplinary action against the Mayor’s then chief-of-staff Wayne Moran.
The Mayor is also accused of failing to declare a conflict of interest when discussing the matter behind closed doors at a council meeting on December 8, 2017.
A Crime and Corruption
Commission investigation into council, dubbed Operation Yabber, started in August 2018, following reports by the Bulletin about mayoral directives.
No criminal charges were laid and the CCC ruled out any findings of corruption but the report focused on Mr Moran’s alleged dealings with companies and Mr Dickson’s alleged attempts to get him to declare conflicts of interest.
Mr Moran later said he was pleased and not surprised the CCC had confirmed “no corruption nor anything criminal on my part”. Mr Dickson terminated his contract a month later.
Cr Tate told the Bulletin yesterday: “I have no information on the status of these complaints and have not been asked to attend any hearings at the Councillor Conduct Tribunal. It’s worth noting, that of the 70 or so complaints made against me, every single one of them was dismissed.
“I will get on with running the city and continue to defend any complaints vigorously.”
The OIA has declined to comment.
The Bulletin went to Cr Tozer for comment. He responded with a brief summary of up to nine complaints confirming the “mayoral directions” investigation was being finalised.
“I make no comment about the subject of my complaints, or any specific particulars of the matters ... beyond what is stated. I only wish to defend my position that my complaints are in response to my obligations under the Act and are subject to due process,” he said.
“It is possible that the existence of these complaints is of some concern to some of my colleagues, and that concern might exacerbate conflict between us.”
The Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal in late 2018 found that a complaint that the Mayor (Cr Tom Tate) had engaged in misconduct was sustained. He was fined and undertook counselling after a Facebook post about Cr Tozer.