Tasmania’s Local Government Minister Nic Street says he is actively considering suspending the councillors at Dorset Council while an inquiry is conducted into alleged governance failings.
A Board of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate allegations that have been uncovered in an initial investigation conducted by the Director of Local Government.
The investigation, triggered by complaints from councillors and members of the public, revealed evidence suggestive of a range of governance failings including improper use of statutory power; mismanagement of conflicts of interest; poor decision making and disrespect for community members.
Minister Street has sought comment from the councillors by this Friday evening before making a decision on a potential suspension early next week.
Senior Barrister Andrew Walker and former Clarence council general manager Andrew Paul have been appointed as the two-person Board on Inquiry, which is expected to take about seven months to conduct an investigation and provide a report to the government.
Source: Minister for Local Government