The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) says it is a relief to finally see IBAC’s Operation Sandon report released, labelling the behaviour described in the report as “unacceptable”.
MAV President, Councillor David Clark said while the Council at the centre of the investigation – the City of Casey – had been dealt with swiftly, a range of other key players were yet to face consequences for their role in the matters.
“All Victorians will want to know what consequences await the other key participants in this saga, including past and current members of parliament, lobbyists, and individuals and entities within the development sector,” Cr Clark said.
“The issues interrogated by Operation Sandon should be of interest to us all given they affect multiple parts of public administration in the state.”
Disgraced City of Casey councillors Sam Aziz (left) and Geoff Ablett.
The release of the report follows 40 days of hearings, with shocking evidence of councillors and Victorian MPs being plied with hundreds of thousands of dollars in a bid to green light lucrative development projects laid bare.
The Commission found two then City of Casey Councillors at the centre of the allegations – Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett – had received more than $550,000 each from property developer, John Woodman, in exchange for support for his plans to rezone land in Cranbourne West.
“IBAC uncovered a web of well-orchestrated strategies designed to manipulate Casey Council decision-making processes, buy influence and undermine the effectiveness of the Victorian planning system in exchange for certain benefits,” the report states.
“Operation Sandon established that Casey councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett actively took steps to promote Mr Woodman’s and his clients’ interests and received financial and in-kind compensation in return.
“Each of these councillors received over $550,000 from Mr Woodman or related entities over several years. They failed to declare conflicts of interest about their involvement with Mr Woodman or his companies on many occasions throughout this time.”
In return, the pair voted in favour of Mr Woodman’s planning applications.
“Mr Woodman and his associates sought to advance the proposal using different methods over several years, including directly paying Councillor Aziz and Councillor Ablett for their support, and cultivating relationships with and providing [financial] support to other Casey councillors,” the report states.
Acting IBAC Commissioner, Stephen Farrow today said his office would provide evidence to the Office of Public Prosecutions.
“Where we have evidence that may constitute a criminal offence we will provide it to the office of public prosecution and it’s a matter for them to make a decision about whether there is any public interest and prospects of conviction,” he said.
The report makes adverse comments against Mr Woodman, four City of Casey councillors, and Cranbourne Labor MP, Pauline Richards. Three former Victorian Liberal Party candidates, who were also councillors, including the late Amanda Stapledon and Susan Serey are criticised in the report.
The councillors named in the IBAC report were dismissed by the Victorian Government on 19 February 2020 and a Panel of Administrators appointed until the next election in 2024.
The 300-page report makes 34 recommendations regarding the State’s planning processes, designed to promote transparency in decision making, enhance donation and lobbying regulation and strengthen Council governance.
“As the most transparent level of government, we know how important the governance recommendations are and we’re committed to working through them with our members and the State Government,” said MAV President Clark.
“We must ensure these recommendations enhance community trust, which is critical for all levels of government, but particularly for local government,” he said.
In a statement released this afternoon, the City of Casey Council said Operation Sandon had focused on very specific planning and developer matters and highlighted alleged impropriety and conflicts of interest by former Councillors, not Council officers.
“At no time has the conduct or professionalism of Council officers been called into question,” the statement reads.
“Since the dismissal of Councillors, and in line with the Casey Municipal Monitor’s report from February 2020, Council has been focused on delivering reforms that uphold integrity and transparency through clear, contemporary policies and decision-making.”
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM said the Council had been proactively engaging with IBAC since the investigation began.
“A great deal of work has already occurred to reform Council’s processes and to ensure clarity around responsibilities and decision making, including in planning matters,” she said.
Ms Duff said this work would continue to ensure Council fulfilled its obligations for the benefit of the Casey community.
“Throughout the investigation and since the Panel of Administrators was appointed, our focus has continued to be on delivering services and infrastructure for the benefit of the Casey community and there has been no impact on day-to-day service delivery to ratepayers.”
“We have also undertaken reviews of historical decisions and, where necessary, have retracted decisions, with a focus on cancelling inappropriate funding agreements and rescinding non-value adding international arrangements.
“Council has been delivering on the reform recommendations set out in the Municipal Monitor’s Report and is committed to undertaking any additional work necessary towards improving Governance at Casey, in line with the IBAC recommendations,” Ms Duff said.
