Conscience call

By Bridget Brady
CASEY mayor Lorraine Wreford says councillor Kevin Bradford should stand down “if he had any sort of conscience”.
Cr Wreford said she had grave concerns about Cr Bradford’s conduct as revealed in the Ombudsman’s’ report, and would call a special council meeting to discuss the consequences of the apparently inappropriate behaviour
“I take a hard line on anyone who breaks the Local Government Act, as we should,” Cr Wreford said.
“The community that I represent would expect that whoever the mayor is would take a hard line on someone who is breaking or flaunts the Local Government Act.”
Cr Wreford said Cr Bradford should stand down immediately from the council until all of the legal process had completed.
Opposition Local Government spokeswoman Jeanette Powell said this was the second time Cr Bradford had been investigated for improper behaviour.
Ms Powell said Premier John Brumby should sack Cr Bradford for abusing his position on the council.
“The Brumby Government increased the penalty only last year for this serious breach of the Act to $60,000 or five years’ imprisonment, which now disqualifies a councillor from their duties,” Ms Powell said.
“Councillors are elected to protect and advance the interests of their community, not serve their own interest like Cr Bradford did.”
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich also called on Cr Bradford to step aside, and said the evidence against him was compelling.
Ms Peulich told State Parliament there had been a culture of bullying and intimidation in the local government sector as a result of governance and cultural problems.
“The Ombudsman has left little doubt that Cr Bradford has breached rules and some action will have to be taken to address this,” Ms Peulich said.
Cr Bradford refused to comment when contacted by the News.