In short:
Wyndham Mayor Preet Singh has stepped aside from his duties following backlash over a character reference, with a protest planned in Werribee. Questions remain over how long he will remain out of the role.
The Mayor has stepped aside but is not stepping down.
Wyndham councillor Preet Singh will step aside from his mayoral duties but has not indicated how long the arrangement will last.
After speaking to media on the morning of 1 April, Cr Singh said he had asked deputy mayor Jasmine Hill to take over mayoral duties from 2 April while he considers his position.
Cr Singh came under scrutiny earlier this week after it was revealed he wrote a character reference in 2024 for Kashyap Patel prior to being elected to council.
Patel later appeared before the County Court in August 2024 on child sex offence charges. He pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, transmitting indecent communication to a person under 16, and sexually assaulting a child under 16. In September 2024, he was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment and a two-year community corrections order.
A protest has been organised for 5pm on 1 April at the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee, with organisers calling for Cr Singh to permanently stand down as mayor.
In comments to media, Cr Singh said he understood the distress and concern the situation had caused.
“I want to acknowledge the courage of victim-survivors who continue to speak out. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, and I unequivocally condemn it,” he said.
However, his comments contrast with the character reference he provided to the court, where he described Patel as “very upset about the charges” and stated he believed the offending was a “one-off event”.
“I understand Mr Kashyap Patel has to attend court about child grooming and sexual assault charges,” he wrote.
“I truly believe he is extremely regretful for what he has done.
“This perhaps has been a very tough time for him and his family.
“Even though he has been charged, I would continue to trust Mr Kashyap Patel. He has always shown high integrity and is someone I could trust.
“I believe any behaviour he has displayed that caused him to be charged with child grooming and sexual assault was a one-off event.”
Cr Singh said the reference had raised “legitimate questions” about his judgement.
“For that I am deeply sorry,” he said.
“I sincerely apologise for any hurt or harm caused, particularly to the victim and those in our community impacted by this issue.
“I respect the right of community members to express their views, including through peaceful protest.
“I have reached out to speak with and offer to meet with those leading the demonstration, to listen and convey my sincere sympathies directly.”
It is understood protest organiser John Weiss and Cr Singh have spoken.
Cr Singh said he will advise Wyndham chief executive Stephen Wall if and when he decides to return to the mayoral role.
“My commitment remains to serve the Wyndham community with integrity, and to work every day to contribute to a safer and stronger community,” he said.
Following the developments, Werribee MP John Lister has written to Local Government Minister Nick Staikos seeking advice on the situation.
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