Suspension of Councillor Jasmine Hill Sparks Outcry Amidst Allegations of Political Influence
Wyndham City Council’s meeting held tonight to officially suspend Councillor Jasmine Hill over bullying allegations has raised concerns about the political transparency of the process. The decision, backed by the Councillor Conduct Panel, faced criticism amid substantial community support for Cr. Hill and an outpouring of character references on her behalf.
Councillor Gilligan, now Deputy Mayor, played a crucial role in presenting the allegations on behalf of complainants in an application dated October 26, 2022. The motion to receive the report and note the suspension of Cr. Hill was passed during the 5:30 pm meeting today as a procedural requirement.
Cr. Hill, who declared her innocence until the end, denounced the panel’s decision as unjust and the allegations as untrue. She called for the complete release of the report to the public, challenging the mere summary provided by the lawyer. According to the panel, six of the 19 allegations against Cr. Hill were found to be true, while five were dismissed, and one had no finding.
Seven allegations were not heard, allegedly occurring more than 12 months before the application was made. Members of the public attending the meeting cheered and applauded after Cr. Hill’s speech in the chamber, drawing a disapproving reaction from Deputy Mayor Josh Gilligan.
Dean Hurlston from Council Watch expressed shock at the meeting’s behaviour, stating, “As someone who follows these findings all over Victoria, the behaviour in tonight’s meeting was shocking. Councillors should have noted the item and filed it without any conversation. The manner in which Councillors spoke just reveals how broken the system is.”
“The public isn’t stupid, we know when a system is not independent and is politically being used to denigrate the role of elected councillors. Councillors have a legal right to defend themselves under the Local Government Act and councils generally take out expensive insurance policies to pay for the legal costs, so that ratepayers do not pay large bills in these situations.”
VIDEO: Councillor Hill's speech was met with applause and cheers from the public gallery.
The Mayor’s Facebook page received numerous messages expressing dissatisfaction over the decision and support for Cr. Hill. Some accused the Deputy Mayor of orchestrating a political witch hunt. Calls for an independent inquiry and government administration to replace the current council were echoed by residents like Chris Ryan and others have vouched for Cr. Hill’s commitment to the community.
Senthill Sundaram, a Wyndham resident, emphasized the total lack of transparency in the episode, calling for a transparent investigation open to the public. Sundaram suggested including local residents in the investigation panel to ensure transparency, similar to the jury system.
Many residents share the sentiment that the Determination and Statement of reasons for the decision should be published for open viewing. Concerns were raised about the lack of clarity in the panel’s determination, particularly regarding how they arrived at the conclusion that some allegations were substantiated. Residents noted the absence of third-party witnesses and questioned the credibility of the panel’s decision-making process.
As the controversy unfolds, the Wyndham community awaits further developments, demanding a clearer understanding of the decision and expressing a desire for a more transparent and accountable local government.
