Tom Ingleton
Embattled mayor Aidan McLindon has called for Whittlesea chief executive Craig Lloyd and two council monitors to immediately step down, accusing them of enforcing a “restrictive” system.
Flanked by his supporters and lawyer, standing in front of a fold-out camping table outside the Whittlesea council chamber on Tuesday night, Cr McLindon looked every bit the defiant politician.
Amid a backdrop of a laptop sat open up on the tableand camp chairs behind him, it looked as if he were preparing to spend the night outside the council building.
But this wasn’t an ordinary council meeting– Cr McLindon had been banned from attending council meetings in-person.
Instead he staged a public gathering in front of a sizable crowd, addressing his supporters while attempting to appear virtually in the meeting, until without warning, he was removed from the call.
Cr McLindon’s reaction was scathing and swift–firing back at the council members as he appeared undeterred by his ejection.
“They can remove me from the meeting, I think I’m much more productive here to be honest. I’m sick of being told what to do,” he declared to his supporter base.
Cr McLindon then formally called on the local government minister to step in and take action.
“It brings me no joy to say that I will be calling on the local government minister to ask for the chief executive and the two monitors to step aside immediately,” Cr McLindon demanded, his words met with loud cheers from the crowd.
“What we are doing today is pivotal in local government right across Victoria,” Cr McLindon continued.
“What we have seen is a system that has slowly but surely abused and suppressed the input of the residents.”
For Cr McLindon, this was more than a political dispute, he felt personally attacked.
“I’m tired of the allegations that have been smeared and slandered against me, and this afternoon, I’m breaking my silence,” he said.
“I’m sick and tired of tip-toeing, being told what I can say, what I can’t say–no, this is a democracy.”
Many of his supporters began raising their voices in solidarity with Cr McLindon, many holding their phones high in the air to live-stream the speech.
Speaking with Cr McLindon away from the charged atmosphere of his public address , he opened up further on his frustrations, claiming officials were stonewalling him on financial transparency.
“One of the most significant questions that I’ve asked–which is really concerning–is that in the four years of administration, there were 48 new council organisations or committees created,” Cr McLindon said.
“I’ve asked to list those and how much money’s coming out. I’ve still got nothing.”
Cr Mclindon expanded on his concerns, describing an environment where he felt questioning authority was silenced.
“It’s so restrictive here. You question a councillor, and you get called aggressive or misbehaving. It’s like, hang on–my job is to question.”
Cr McLindon acknowledged the difficulties of challenging the system but remained optimistic.
“Any level of government in Victoria is tough when trying to make any change, and this may come to no avail,” he admitted.
“But I’m very hopeful, seeing the turnout today and the people that have offered assistance and help to get the word out there.”
Gesturing toward the crowd that had gathered outside, Cr McLindon urged his fellow councillors to take a stand.
“This today–you tap into a sentiment and you can see it. This here is representative of what the community is feeling, and councillors, you must listen. I implore my councillors to start sticking up for your residents.”
Mr Lloyd was contacted for comment.
