The public inquiry into Liverpool City Council over allegations of maladministration and corruption is now accepting submissions.
While not automatically made public, inquiry commissioner Ross Glover may decide to release all or part of any submissions received – including on the inquiry’s website.
“Commissioner Glover has asked that the Office of Local Government publish updated information on the public inquiry page of our website encouraging written submissions from a wide-range of persons or groups,” deputy secretary local government Brett Whitworth said.
He added: “Public submissions are an essential part of the inquiry process, allowing a wide-range of perspectives to be considered.”
Requests to keep submissions anonymous may be made to the commissioner. The closing date for submissions is 16 December.
As customary, public hearings will also be held as part of the inquiry. Further information about the public hearings will also be published on the inquiry’s website.
‘Serious concerns’
The NSW government ordered a public inquiry into Liverpool City Council in July after a report from the Office of Local Government detailed “serious concerns” about widespread dysfunction, maladministration and possible corruption.
The interim report contained a number of allegations against council relating to recruitment, procurement, financial management, and development applications. There was also widespread evidence of a toxic workplace culture.
“It has become clear that … there is major dysfunction across the entire organisation,” local government minister Ron Hoenig said at the time.
In response, Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun – who has recently been re-elected for a third tilt at the top job – questioned the legitimacy of the report, describing it as a “shopping list of unfounded allegations by unknown people who may hold a grudge against me and the council”.
Legal action was subsequently taken by council against the NSW government.
However, in early September, the Land and Environment Court said the public inquiry would go ahead. Justice Robson said the report “was not an act of partiality” and ruled that the Office of Local Government could continue to investigate its claims.
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