In short:
Residents say ongoing chaos and councillor conduct concerns at Wyndham City Council have been raised for years, with frustration growing over what they see as a slow response. Fresh political attention has brought the issue back into focus as calls for accountability intensify.
Years of Instability Without Intervention
Pressure is mounting on the Allan Labor Government as residents question why long-running governance concerns at Wyndham City Council have not triggered stronger intervention, even as fresh political attention lands amid a new scandal.
Werribee MP John Lister has written to Local Government Minister Nick Staikos seeking advice following concerns raised by constituents about leadership and confidence in Wyndham’s mayor.
But the move has drawn criticism from parts of the community, with some residents arguing calls for oversight — including the appointment of a municipal monitor — have been raised repeatedly for years without action.
Public calls for intervention date back to at least 2021, well before the current council term began in November 2024, and have intensified since.
In April 2025, councillor Robert Szatkowski wrote to state authorities raising “serious and ongoing governance concerns” and urging consideration of a municipal monitor.
He cited issues relating to “decision-making processes, financial oversight, councillor conduct, and adherence to the principles of transparency and good governance.”
That letter later became the subject of a misconduct complaint by Cr Mia Shaw after it was shared with watchdog group Council Watch and published publicly.
The complaint was dismissed on 23 June 2025, with the arbiter finding the claims were too vague to meet the legal threshold for misconduct, despite noting the move may have been politically motivated.
While no breach was found, the ruling highlighted ongoing tensions within the chamber and competing views over governance standards.
Mayor Suspended Over Social Media Attack
In September 2025, former mayor Kim McAliney renewed calls for intervention, again urging the Minister to appoint a municipal monitor and describing council as dysfunctional.
“The council should all be working together for the best outcome of the community, but what I am seeing isn’t robust discussion, it is destruction of discussions,” she said.
A Local Government Victoria spokesperson said mechanisms exist to support councils and address conduct issues where required.
The situation escalated in when then mayor Josh Gilligan was suspended from 25 February to 25 March after an independent arbiter found he had engaged in misconduct over a social media post targeting Ms McAliney.
New Council Collapses in Less Than a Week
The suspension forced councillors to elect a new mayor for the remainder of the term, exposing deep divisions within council.
On 18 March, councillors deadlocked 5–5 between Peter Maynard and Preet Singh, prompting a second meeting on 23 March.
The impasse was broken when Cr Hill changed her vote to support Singh, who was elected mayor, with Hill named deputy mayor.
Less than a week later, the council was drawn into a broader political controversy.
A protest is set to take place at the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee on 1 April at 5pm, calling on Mayor Singh to step down.
The protest follows revelations that Singh provided a character reference in April 2024 for Kashyap Patel, who was later jailed after pleading guilty to offences involving a minor.
The issue has intensified scrutiny on leadership and judgement, with residents expected to gather outside council headquarters as pressure builds.
Local Labor MP Calls on Minister to Provide Advice
In his letter dated 31 March, Werribee MP John Lister outlines concerns raised by residents regarding both the Mayor and broader governance at Wyndham City Council.
“A number of my constituents have spoken and written to me regarding a good character reference… They have also raised ongoing concerns with governance at Wyndham City Council,” he wrote.
Mr Lister says some constituents believe the matter “has brought the office of Mayor into disrepute,” and notes Mayor Preet Singh’s public statement acknowledging he showed “poor judgement” in providing the reference.
He states that some residents do not consider that acknowledgement sufficient.
“My constituents do not think this acknowledgement is enough,” he wrote, adding they believe Cr Singh “needs to consider whether it is appropriate to remain in the position of Mayor of Wyndham City.”
Mr Lister has formally sought advice from the Minister on what steps are being taken.
“I seek your advice on the matter and what steps Wyndham City Council and Local Government Victoria are taking to restore confidence in the office of Mayor.”
The situation has intensified scrutiny on leadership and judgement, with a protest planned at the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee on 1 April at 5pm.
The developments come at a politically sensitive time, with Werribee regarded as a marginal Labor-held seat, having been decided by fewer than 1,000 votes at the Werribee by-election in February 2025.
The letter has received a mixed response from the community, while seeking guidance from the Minister on how confidence in council leadership can be addressed.
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