By Kristy McDonald
The State Government has been accused of inaction and buck-passing as the crisis surrounding Brimbank City Council continued last week.
Western Metropolitan MLC Bernie Finn and Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark attacked Planning Minister Justin Madden in Parliament, claiming the Labor Government had failed the residents of Brimbank.
The Ombudsman began an investigation into the Council two weeks ago.
Mr Finn and Mr Madden engaged in a slanging match across the chamber, with the MLC later accusing the Minister of buck-passing on the issues.
“If I were a believer in reincarnation, I would have to ask what dreadful deeds the people of Brimbank had committed in a past life to deserve the lunatics who currently control their city council,” Mr Finn said.
“Brimbank City Council is an example to all of what happens when Labor is allowed unfettered power at a municipal level.
“The majority of councillors could not give an airborne rodent’s rump about the residents of Brimbank or their duty as councillors.
“The council is a political cesspit and this level of corruption demands the full force of a wide-ranging, independent anti-crime commission inquiry.”
Mr Finn accused the minister of deliberately misleading parliament over an investigation into the Sydenham community centre – a comment that was later withdrawn at the instruction of the president – and continued to interject as Mr Madden defended his stance on the Brimbank and Sydenham issues.
Mr Madden said he stood by his earlier comments to parliament on appropriate processes for complaints and investigations regarding local governments.
“ I look forward to seeing these matters at Brimbank resolved and the council operating in the way we all expect councils to operate – and that is in a civil manner so that they do justice to their communities,” Mr Madden said.
“I also look forward to seeing the results of any report that may come from either the Minister for Local Government or the Ombudsman.
“The Opposition continues to display its ignorance of all matters of administration within government.
In a surprise back-door attack on the local Suleyman Labor camp, Shadow Attorney-General Robert Clark put his Cabinet counterpart on the spot, questioning Deputy Premier Rob Hulls’ endorsement of Mr Suleyman as a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Clark quoted the Member for Keilor, George Seitz and his earlier statements to parliament, describing Mr Suleyman as a “standover man and part of the underbelly of Brimbank”.
“I ask: Does the Attorney-General stand by his endorsement of Mr Suleyman as a man of high esteem?” Mr Clark said.
Mr Hulls stated only that: “People who make an application to become a justice of the peace (JP) are screened by the organisation representing JPs and I endorse the recommendations that come to me.”
Mr Clark said: “There have been some serious allegations made and to uphold the public confidence in the office of JP and the integrity of the system, Mr Hulls, at the very least, needs to consider whether he continues to hold confidence in that appointment.”
A State Government spokesman told Star on Friday the Attorney-General was on his way overseas and unavailable to comment further.
