By NATALIE GALLENTI
AN INVESTIGATION into Melton City Council’s 2012 election is underway after a local government authority received a serious complaint.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate has confirmed that it is investigating a complaint from last year’s election campaign which saw more than 70 candidates run for a seat on the council.
“I can confirm that the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate is investigating a complaint about the 2012 Melton City Council election,” the spokesperson told Star.
Star can reveal that a source involved in last year’s election was formally interviewed by the local government agency in May this year.
The questioning surrounded the distribution of preferences.
Melton City Council chief executive officer Kelvin Tori told Star the council has been advised by the Local Government Inspectorate that they are investigating a complaint in relation to the Melton City Council election.
Mr Tori said the council has provided all the documentation requested by the Inspectorate.
He also said the council has been advised by the Inspectorate that they received 383 complaints in a 10-week period following the 2012 Local Government election.
Mr Tori said the council will not be making any further comments until the outcome of the investigation is made public by the Inspectorate.
Mayor Kathy Majdlik told Star she was unable to comment about any alleged investigation.
“I am unable to comment on any alleged investigation the Local Government Inspectorate may or may not be undertaking,” Cr Majdlik said.
Watts Ward councillor Lara Carli said if the investigation revealed there had been misconduct during last year’s election, she would be “very disappointed”.
“If the allegations are found to be true, I would be very disappointed as I’m sure all the residents would be disappointed and disgusted,” Cr Carli said.
Former mayor Justin Mammarella said he was “shocked” when he discovered an investigation was in progress and said any interfering in the democratic election system is a “selfish act”.
“First of all it is a very selfish act … an absolute disgrace, a breach of the law. If that is the case, it is very sad for the people of Melton City Council,” he told Star.
The timing of the investigation could not be worse for the council as it continues to face an onslaught of opposition from members of the gallery during council meetings.
The majority of meetings this year have been adjourned during public question time with police called in to remove rowdy residents.
A council meeting held on 25 June was adjourned twice with seething residents calling on the council to “answer their questions” and be “transparent”.
