Council debates contribution

By Cam Scott
A COUNCILLOR has moved to overlook the law firm that advised Casey Council during the ‘witch trials’ saga.
A report to last week’s meeting recommending a shortlist of six legal firms to be considerd to service all of the City of Casey’s legal needs was questioned by Araluen Ward councillor Rob Wilson.
He asked for Maddocks to be deleted from the list.
Cr Wilson claimed that the legal advice given to himself and Cr Oates by Maddocks during the witch trials was “flawed” and that he was against the council opting to use the firm for advice in the future.
“There is no way I would ever, ever vote for Maddocks to be the legal representative of this council again after what happened last time,” Cr Wilson said.
Council officers advised the chamber that only one other firm on the list of six would be able to provide the service council currently received from Maddocks.
The move by Cr Wilson to strike Maddocks from the list of legal advisers was seen as an unfair move by mayor Neil Lucas.
Cr Lucas said he would not like to associate himself with the statement that Maddocks’ advice was flawed, and highlighted that Maddocks was widely recognised as one of the top firms in dealing with local government matters.
“I don’t believe in recrimination based on one legal opinion,” he said.
“The interpretation of law is not an exact science”
Cr Lucas said he didn’t believe it would be appropriate to dispense of Maddocks’ services based on what other councillors saw as a legal opinion with which they disagreed.
Oatlands Ward councillor Mick Morland said the council shouldn’t forego good legal advice and risk tying its hands behind its backs.
He said it was in the best interests of the majority of Casey’s residents to ensure the council had access to the best range of legal advice possible. “I’m not here to argue with Cr Oates or Cr Wilson, I’m here to represent the City of Casey,” Cr Morland said.
Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates stood to express his view on the issue before being cut short by Cr Lucas, who sought advice from Casey CEO Mike Tyler on continuing the discussion in open council.
“Don’t try and gag us,” Cr Wilson muttered from his chair. Cr Lucas then advised the chamber that further discussion on the issue required advice from council officers for legal reasons, and suggested the discussion continue in camera, which it did.
“Once we’ve had that advice, we should make our decision in open council.”