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Handball heroes take to the court The national handball championships were held at Mordialloc Beach Primary School last week, with a $1000 prize on the line. See story page 3. Picture: Supplied
Council corruption probe findings released Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au SOME interviewees spoken to as part of an independent review into Kingston Council’s processes made allegations in relation to corruption and misconduct at council. A summary of a probity review ordered by Kingston Council last year has been released. The review was
conducted in response to the corruption allegations aired during IBAC’s Operation Sandon hearings which toppled Casey Council. Holding Redlich was tasked with the investigation, going on to interview both current and former Kingston councillors and officers. The legal firm says it focused on potential connections with individuals named in Operation Sandon, such as John Woodman,
Megan Schutz, former Liberal MP Lorraine Wreford, and Labor lobbyist Phil Staindl. Holding Redlich’s released summary read “whilst some council interviewees have had dealings with the Operation Sandon identified persons, and despite some interviewees making allegations in relation to corruption and misconduct by certain councillors or officers, Holding Redlich did
not find conclusive evidence of wide scale improper conduct, corrupt conduct, or misconduct. All interviewees denied ever having received financial incentives or undisclosed political donations.” “Based upon the interviews and the review of the available documentation, Holding Redlich concluded that the conduct reportedly occurring at the City of Casey does not appear to have
occurred, nor is occurring, at the City of Kingston,” the summary read. Other issues raised in the probity review summary included the presence of voting blocs on issues like the Green Wedge, a lack of process and governance surrounding meetings between councillors, officers and developers, and a breakdown of trust between some councillors and officers. Continued page 2
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