By NICOLE VALICEK
FORMER Mayor Tony Briffa has resigned from local politics, citing family reasons behind his decision.
However Star can reveal that Cr Briffa was scheduled to appear before another councillor conduct panel prior to his resignation.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) confirmed to Star last Friday that a panel was requested and established against Cr Briffa in recent weeks.
Cr Briffa had previously been involved in a long running dispute with a fellow councillor and was forced to apologise to a former Mobil worker after fighting serious misconduct charges in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The issue began in 2011 when Cr Briffa was taken to a councillor conduct panel at VCAT relating to emails he sent regarding a then Mobil employee.
The panel found the then Deputy Mayor breached the councillors code of conduct and ordered him to attend 12 months counselling and apologise to the employee.
The world’s first intersex councillor resigned from local politics after six years in office.
Cr Briffa submitted a resignation to the council just before 12pm last Friday saying he wanted to focus on family and spend more time on his human rights work here and abroad.
Cr Briffa was first elected to the council in the Cherry Lake Ward in 2008, during his time in office he served as mayor (2011-2012) and deputy mayor (2009-2011).
In a statement posted on Cr Briffa’s official website Cr Briffa said: “I always focused on being a community representative and advocate first and foremost.
“The decision to resign hasn’t been easy, and I have considered and discussed this with my family, friends and various community leaders for some months now,” he said.
“There will probably never be a good time to leave the council, but after getting married last year I would like to spend more time with my family.
“I would also like time to focus on my human rights work in Australia and abroad, and to restarting the career I put on hold while devoting all my energy to the council and local community.”
In his resignation statement Cr Briffa highlighted achievements involving the environment, community facilities and industrial air pollution.
Other highlights included the work Cr Briffa has done with disabilities, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex people, elderly people and the multicultural community.
Cr Briffa’s resignation from the council will be effective when a replacement is confirmed.
Cr Briffa did not respond to Star’s enquiries prior to publication.
