Council stands down project manager
Posted
The City of Port Phillip is referring allegations of a serious conflict of interest to the police.
A senior project manager with the Council has been stood down.
The manager is reportedly employed by a construction company that has won hundreds of thousands of dollars in council contracts.
It is alleged he leaked confidential documents to favoured contractors so they could under-bid rivals.
The Council's Chief Executive, David Spokes, says the claims are serious and will be thoroughly investigated.
"In light of the information that has come to my notice, the person concerned has been suspended, pending an investigation, and this is in accordance with council's fraud policy," he said.
"The person under investigation is a contractor with a private company."
The Premier, John Brumby, says the State Government is doing everything it can to tackle misconduct in local councils.
Mr Brumby says he has confidence in the Ombudsman's ability to investigate.
"As you know, the Ombudsman has extensive powers, including calling witnesses and taking information under oath."
Mr Brumby says the Government has already reformed local councils following earlier Ombudsman's reports.
"In every case, each of the Ombudsman's recommendations into local government have been implemented or is being implemented by the Government," the Premier said.
"So, we're doing everything that we should be. You will always find allegations from time to time about improper practice. That's, nothing new about that, nothing new in Victoria, nothing new across Australia."
