BendigoWeekly ISSUE 1031 FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2017
www.bendigoweekly.com.au
GAME OVER Bendigo Health sacks Mulder
By SHARON KEMP
Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
Jenny books a spot for the festival JOURNALIST and author Jenny Valentish was ahead of the rush this week for the Bendigo Writers Festival which starts today. Jenny will be discussing her book Woman of Substances as part of the three-day festival which includes more than 90 events across six venues – Bendigo Writers Festival Page 5
■
V/Line falls short of targets – Page 3
IN a stunning development in Bendigo Health’s investigation of John Mulder, chairman Bob Cameron and fellow directors yesterday sacked the chief executive without declaring the grounds for his dismissal. The move left room for Mr Mulder to reiterate his position that he had done nothing wrong and to call for a copy of the investigation’s findings. But he confirmed to the Bendigo Weekly yesterday he would not pursue any move to be reinstated at Bendigo Health. “While I would have liked to have stayed on and completed the vision for Bendigo Health that I created with my team 10 years ago, the decision by the board brings my time at Bendigo Health to an end,” Mr Mulder said. His sacking followed a five-month investigation by the board and the tabling of an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission report in state parliament. It alleged Mr Mulder had used Bendigo Health employees, contractors and resources associated with the construction of the new hospital, in a private capacity and without payment for goods and services valued at more than $10,000. The IBAC report detailed painting, electrical and and landscaping works allegedly completed on a Flora Hill property which at the time was owned by Mr Mulder’s wife, as well as electri-
■
cal works and the transportation of goods to Geelong. Mr Mulder this week reiterated there had been no findings of gross misconduct or criminal activity made against him. He said yesterday the board’s investigation had been ordered by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to prove if “any of the allegations are substantiated on the
I haven’t seen the evidence that proves any of the allegations balance of probabilities”. “I have not seen a copy of the investigator’s report so I haven’t seen the evidence that proves any of the allegations,” Mr Mulder said. He said he had asked for a copy of the report. Regardless, Victorian health minister Jill Hennessy supported the decision of the Bendigo Health board. “I’m aware that after the IBAC delivered a report, there were matters that were canvassed in that report that the board took the view that warranted further investigation,” she said.
48-page property guide inside
Continued Page 2