Thursday, 2 April 2026

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:22): This government has delivered major reforms through the Local Government Act 2020 to strengthen governance, integrity and accountability across Victoria’s councils. We have introduced mandatory training for elected representatives, a uniform councillor code of conduct and stronger powers to deal with poor behaviour. Those reforms are grounded in a simple principle: every ratepayer and resident deserves a council that is focused on their community, not consumed by instability and distraction and division.

That is why I was deeply concerned by the recent revelations regarding the mayor of Wyndham City Council, who has temporarily stepped aside after it was revealed he had written a character reference for a man convicted of grooming and child sexual assault. As highlighted by the Attorney-General, the Allan Labor government is banning the use of so-called good-character references as a mitigating factor in sentencing. I echo the Attorney’s comments that someone does not have good character if they are being sentenced for rape and child grooming. The conduct revealed is appalling. It demonstrates a profound failure of judgement, and it is an affront to victim-survivors, their families and every decent Victorian.

Given the seriousness of these revelations and the broader instability in Wyndham’s leadership, I have exercised my powers under the Local Government Act to appoint an independent monitor to the council. This is not a step that is taken lightly. It is a serious intervention reserved for serious circumstances, and I note the fact that Wyndham’s other councillors have all supported this appointment and have also called on the mayor to resign. The people of Wyndham deserve a council that is entirely focused on them, and this appointment will help restore stability in leadership and ensure good governance at the City of Wyndham. I say this: our government will always defend the integrity of local government and stand with victim-survivors.