By Laura Michell
Whittlesea councillor Mary Lalios is in danger of being disqualified from the council, after missing the past three meetings without an approved leave of absence.
Cr Lalios has been absent from the council since April and is presently on WorkCover.
Her absence has been a contentious issue among councillors, with some questioning why she is able to perform her duties as Municipal Association of Victoria president but is on leave from the council.
Cr Lalios submitted requests for a leave of absence to the August 7, September 4 and October 2 council meetings, but her requests were denied.
Under the Local Government Act, a person ceases to be a councillor if they miss four consecutive ordinary council meetings without obtaining leave from the council.
This means that if Cr Lalios misses the November 13 meeting, and a leave of absence is not granted by her colleagues, she will lose her place on the council.
Cr Caz Monteleone attempted to buy Cr Lalios more time at a special council meeting last week, by proposing a motion to rescind the council’s decision to refuse her leave for the October 2 meeting, but his motion was ruled invalid by mayor Kris Pavlidis.
Star Weekly understands the motion could not be accepted by the council because it related to a decision that had already been acted on.
Cr Monteleone told Star Weekly he was “disappointed” the majority of councillors had voted to refuse Cr Lalios’ leave and felt they were acting unreasonably.
“The five Labor-endorsed councillors are using their numbers to play political games,” he said. “The Local Government Act is very clear, it says you can’t unreasonably refuse leave. I’ve had enough of political games.”
Mayor Kris Pavlidis was contacted for comment.
