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HISTORIC SALE SILVERBACKS RULE Bourke home on the market PAGE 3 Wednesday, 19 October 2016
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Code of silence By Aneeka Simonis A COUNCILLOR seeking re-election has allegedly been banned from speaking to the majority of Cardinia Shire Council workers. The Gazette has been investigating complaints lodged against Cr Kate Lempriere for two months, but she and council have repeatedly refused to answer to the claims. Council last week denied the release of several documents sought under the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act. The council identified the nine documents relevant to questions of the ban, including an incident report by a staff member in April and a letter CEO Garry McQuillan personally addressed to ‘a councillor’. Mr McQuillan said that releasing those documents would not be in the public interest if it meant disclosing information obtained in confidence from members of staff. His decision to deny the release of information was handed down just eight days before council election votes close. A number of council sources, including current councillors, have told the Gazette that Cr Lempriere has been banned from speaking to all junior members of council staff. It’s understood she can now only trade words or emails with fellow councillors, senior department managers and Mr McQuillan. The ban is said to have been imposed after complaints from two members of council staff. Cr Lempriere, a long serving councillor, has denied all allegations. “I haven’t any comment for that ... I don’t know anything about the ban. Of course I am able to speak to all members of council,” she said. “Everyone always tries to have a go at me.” The Gazette has made multiple attempts at uncovering council information about the alleged ban, including at their final pre-caretaker council meeting in September, but has been repeatedly snubbed.
From left, Matt Van Dam, Elly Van Dam, Ash Henry, Bess Henry, Dan O’Loughlin and Amy O’Loughlin. 160334
Picture: ROB CAREW
Chipping in for charity
THE O’Loughlin clan was out in force in the name of charity on Friday night. Dan O’Loughlin from Barry Plant Real Estate got the family along to the 13th annual Casey Cardinia Foundation Charity Dinner at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. Dan was joined by his partner Amy and his sisters Elly Van Dam and Bess Henry and their partners Matt and Ash. They were among the 250 guests who rocked to the sounds of the Awesome 80s show. The night raised a considerable amount for the local philanthropic organisation. For more on the charity dinner, turn to pages 12 and 13.
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