In short:
All Wyndham councillors have passed a no confidence motion against mayor Preet Singh on 27 April, as the leadership crisis intensifies. One councillor will not attend the next meeting and fresh claims of political interference have emerged.
Wyndham Advertiser
Mayor Singh Denounced by Councillor Colleagues
All Wyndham councillors passed a motion of no confidence against mayor Preet Singh tonight on Monday 27 April.
Cr Singh began the meeting as chair in the council conference room alongside Deputy Mayor Jasmine Hill and CEO Stephen Wall, before declaring a conflict of interest and leaving, while all other councillors tuned in remotely.
The controversy centres on a reference provided for Kashyap Patel prior to Cr Singh’s election to Wyndham City Council.
Patel pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, transmitting indecent communication to a person under 16, and sexual assault of a child under 16, and was sentenced in September 2024 to nine months’ jail.
Cr Singh has refused to resign.
Decision Branded as “Morally Reprehensible”
Cr Peter Maynard moved the motion of no confidence and said “Whilst we can all acknowledge that the mayor has done nothing illegal, he has shown an extremely concerning error of judgement — something we simply cannot tolerate in the leader of this council.
Again, as I say, it may not be illegal, but it is morally reprehensible. It is frustrating that as a council, our hands are tied in these circumstances.”
Cr Robert Szatkowski added that the position of mayor was not just symbolic, saying “The role of mayor is not symbolic. It is functional. It is outward facing.
It is the primary voice of this council to govern, through government, stakeholders, and the community. When that voice is diminished, restricted, or unable to engage effectively, the whole organisation is weakened.”
All councillors spoke in condemnation of Cr Singh’s refusal to stand down, with Cr Mia Shaw adding that the situation was affecting all members of the organisation.
Budget Meeting Boycott and Accusations of Political Agendas
Cr Larry Zhao announced that, due to the situation, he will not be attending the next council meeting as it will be chaired by Cr Singh.
Cr Zhao said in a Facebook statement: “When trust between elected members deteriorates to the point where a formal no confidence motion is required, it is clear that the conditions for constructive governance have been seriously undermined.
In such circumstances, remaining in a chamber without acknowledging that reality would not reflect integrity — it would suggest acceptance of dysfunction as normal.”
Cr Josh Gilligan also said a serious matter is being weaponised for private political gain and that the line between community concern and political opportunism is being blurred.
“The West Party, in my opinion, has questions to answer. Why are so many party operatives and supporters so heavily involved in these protests?
One might reasonably ask whether these protests more closely resemble a West Party branch meeting than whether they are as broad as independent community consultation.”
