Local Government Minister rejects claims by Belmont mayor

29/4/03
Local Government Minister Tom Stephens today rejected claims by Belmont mayor Peter Passeri that there had been no findings of breaches of the Local Government Act in the Belmont Inquiry.
Mr Stephens has written to Mr Passeri to explain that the inquiry specifically identified conduct that could contribute to breaches of the Local Government Act, particularly in sections 4.5 and 4.7.
"The inquiry has identified issues relating to probity, administration and governance of the City of Belmont," the Minister said.
"Another of the important issues the report identified was the need for the City of Belmont to address the involvement of officers in land development activities in the area.
"I reject any assertions that in any way trivialise the seriousness of the allegations leading to this major inquiry, and any attempts to diminish the importance of the findings."
Mr Stephens said he had also written to Joondalup mayor John Bombak, over recent complaints raised about the qualifications of the city's chief executive officer.
The Minister today advised Mr Bombak that while the Department of Local Government and Regional Development was not investigating the issue of the qualifications of the City of Joondalup's CEO, the department was examining concerns about the processes used by the council for the selection and appointment of the CEO.
"These concerns relate to the processes adopted by the council in the management of the selection of the CEO, and the execution of the contract," Mr Stephens said.
Minister's office: 9213 6500