Former Whittlesea mayor Aidan McLindon has dismissed suggestions he behaved poorly, according to a report from a Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea council.
The report, tabled in state parliament on 14 October, found that Mr McLindon’s conduct was “detrimental to the council”.
It also found there were several factors that resulted in the councillors and council chief executive Craig Lloyd taking action against Mr McLindon, and recognised the councillors and Mr Lloyd will “face challenges” upon his return from suspension later this week.
The commission made 17 recommendations, including the appointment of a municipal monitor to the council – for the third time since December 2019 – and that Mr McLindon undertake further training.
The commission said the monitor would provide support to Mr Lloyd, the councillors and Mr McLindon to develop effective working relationships, and to assist Mr McLindon in avoiding any behaviours that may create risks to health and safety.
According to the commission report, Mr McLindon made a submission based on its findings and noted that he never engaged in poor behaviour toward another councillor or council staff member,
The report said Mr McLindon’s submission also stated he never posed a risk or threat in any workspace in which he has participated; was respectful and courteous at al times; and attempted to keep the councillor group together.
The report said he was disappointed that “at no stage” was mediation sought or made available or “procedural fairness or natural justice afforded to him”.
“He stated that he was treated unfairly, which undermined his role as mayor, resulting in what he believes to be an unlawful standing down from office,” the report stated.
Mr McLindon also submitted that his greatest concern during his tenure as mayor was the way in which Whittlesea’s governance rules were ‘manipulated and interpreted’, the report stated.
It said he claimed that “dramatically impacted outcomes on the council’s agenda and the cohesiveness of the council group”.
Mr McLindon did not provide specific examples of these claims in his submission, according to the report.
Mr McLindon is challenging Local Government Minister Nick Staikos’ decision to suspend him from council for six months in the Supreme Court. The case will be heard next year.
