SOUTH Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Inga Peulich has called for an investigation into Monash Council after she told Parliament last Thursday of concerns about the conduct of key members of its "ALP ruling faction".
She raised a number of issues that have allegedly taken place since 2000.
Among the most serious claims in her address to Parliament was that Cr Stephen Dimopoulos had allegedly committed electoral fraud that was witnessed by councillors Geoff Lake and Paul Klisaris and former councillor Dane Manzie.
"The most serious case, I believe, is one that was reported and submitted to the [Victorian Electoral Commission] as well as to the Ombudsman, which alleges that indeed a fraudulent nomination form for a council candidate was signed by Labor councillor Stephen Dimopoulos in the presence
of councillors Geoff Lake and Paul Klisaris as well as former councillor Dane Manzie and submitted by a staff member of Cr Klisaris.
"These matters are yet to be addressed and responded to even though they have been submitted some time [ago]."
Ms Peulich said that since a report into Brimbank Council by the Ombudsman and the expose of ALP municipal caucus rules, which require Labor-endorsed and supported councillors to have a caucus before council meetings, a number of "very serious" matters had been raised by residents.
"Labor councillor Paul Klisaris was found to be inappropriately enrolled for council nomination and surprisingly was given a reprieve and represented by legal representation funded by Monash [Council] in order to be reinstated and be legal for council elections."
She also said that in 2003, then mayor Geoff Lake "bullied and harassed" fellow councillor Tom Morrissey at his place of business.
"Cr Morrissey was forced to take out an intervention order against Cr Lake - a case heard in the Ringwood Magistrates Court - and as a result received a written apology from Cr Lake."
Ms Peulich also discussed a letter of apology signed by Cr Lake which was "ordered by the Equal Opportunity Commission" in 2002 after a complaint was lodged by former councillor Kathy Magee.
"Cr Lake spoke and behaved towards her in a manner that was demeaning and degrading in council and was particularly offensive to females."
She said others alleged that Cr Lake used open council meetings to "malign and attack and abuse" other Monash councillors and members of the community.
"This is confirmed by serving councillor Tom Morrissey and president of Ratepayers Victoria Jack Davis."
Ms Peulich said there was a "prolonged and systemic failure" to enforce breaches of the Local Government Act where Labor misconduct was involved.
"There is a failure to acknowledge the corrosive effect of Labor caucusing rules on local democracy and there has been a track record of turning a blind eye to mates doing the wrong thing.
"Premier Brumby must immediately instigate an open and transparent investigation to deal with these matters.
"He must make sure that all of those complaints are addressed in a public and open way."
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