In short:
Hundreds marched through Werribee in the fifth protest calling on Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh to resign. The rally was the largest yet, more than 10 weeks after controversy erupted over a character reference he provided for a convicted child sex offender.
Wyndham Advertiser
Watton Street Grinds to a Halt
Hundreds of protesters braved pouring rain on 13 June to march through Werribee‘s Watton Street, demanding scandal-plagued Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh step down from office.
The rally, the largest yet, marked the fifth public protest against Cr Singh since controversy erupted more than two months ago over a character reference he provided for a convicted child sex offender before being elected to Wyndham City Council.
Protesters carrying placards and wearing matching shirts marched through the city centre under police escort, with many chanting for the mayor’s resignation.
The growing demonstration comes despite Cr Singh remaining defiant in the face of mounting pressure. While he has apologised for providing the reference, he has repeatedly maintained he has done nothing illegal and has refused to resign.
The controversy has become one of the most significant political crises in Wyndham’s recent history.
Pressure Not Easing on Mayor
All Wyndham councillors have unanimously called on Cr Singh to step aside, while the mayor has become increasingly unable to perform many public-facing duties due to community backlash and safety concerns surrounding council events.
The saga began on 30 March when it was revealed Cr Singh had provided a character reference for Kashyap Patel before his election to council.
Patel pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, transmitting indecent communication to a person under 16 and sexually assaulting a child under 16. He was sentenced in September 2024 to nine months’ imprisonment and a two-year community corrections order.
The revelation triggered widespread outrage across Wyndham, prompting calls from community groups, residents and elected representatives for Cr Singh to stand down.
More than two months later, there is little sign of the controversy subsiding.
Cr Singh’s status as a Justice of the Peace is also under investigation by the state.
Scandal Continues to Deepen
As protesters made their way through the heart of Werribee, many argued the issue had damaged public confidence in the council and its leadership.
Werribee MP John Lister attended Saturday’s protest, marking the first time he has appeared at one of the demonstrations calling for Cr Singh to resign.
While Mr Lister described the issue as non-partisan, he made no reference to a separate controversy involving Victorian Government minister Luba Grigorovitch, who has faced criticism over character references she provided for several men charged with offences, including a taxi driver who assaulted women and men accused of family violence.
Last week, Wyndham TV contacted Mr Lister seeking comment on the Grigorovitch matter and asking whether he would continue to work professionally with the minister after publicly stating he would not professionally engage with Cr Singh.
Mr Lister did not respond to the request.
With the pressure campaign showing no signs of slowing and public demonstrations continuing to grow, Cr Singh remains at the centre of a controversy that has dominated local politics for more than 10 weeks.
