EXCLUSIVE
Hume councillors Jack Ogilvie and Jack (Steve) Medcraft face investigation for inappropriately using footage from a surveillance device to identify and berate political opponents.
The Sunbury councillors have been accused of breaching the council’s code of conduct and the Privacy and Data Information Act after they used footage from a private CCTV camera outside Sunbury’s Woolworths store to identify Broadmeadows Progress Association members distributing literature promoting a public meeting held on September 29.
The meeting was called by Hume council to outline to residents the processes that led to Local Government Minister Tim Bull declaring the creation of a new city of Sunbury.
The camera is operated on behalf of Sunbury Central owner Glenn Ingram and has no association with Woolworths.
Mr Ingram refused to speak to Star Weekly when asked about how the councillors gained access to the footage.
“This is not a matter I am prepared to discuss with the press,” he said.
Broadmeadows Progress Association members John and Sonja Rutherford have vowed to take their complaints about the two councillors to higher authorities and were due to raise the matter at last night’s council meeting.
“We are extremely concerned with the unacceptable behaviour of Jackson Ward councillors Jack Medcraft and Jack Ogilvie,” the Rutherfords said.
The couple said that on three occasions last month – September 25, 26 and 28 – the two councillors sent “inappropriate and unacceptable” emails to them.
“Their comments were abusive, offensive and intimidatory,” they said.
“In particular, we object most strongly to the invasion of our privacy by these two councillors obtaining CCTV footage on Wednesday, September 24, from a security camera out the front of Woolworths in Sunbury for their own individual political purposes.
“This footage was claimed to be of ourselves and other residents distributing notices advertising the Sunbury secession from Hume council meeting on September 29.
“We see this as a clear breach of the responsible behaviour and code of conduct expected of people holding the responsibility of local councillors.”
The Rutherfords said they intended to take their concerns up with the Hume council and other government authorities.
“Their comments were derogatory and rude,” Sonja Rutherford told Star Weekly.
“We’ve let this go on too long.”
Star Weekly contacted councillors Medcraft and Ogilvy for comment.
Cr Medcraft refused to comment and Cr Ogilvie did not respond.
Hume council said it was unable to comment at this stage.
