Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (22:38): (2241) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Local Government, and the action I seek is that he immediately withdraw his two monitors from Kingston council and rule out appointing administrators. Everyone knows the minister is using these monitors to seize control of Kingston council, discredit opponents and protect and reward factional allies. The monitors’ terms of reference are deliberately broad and opaque, giving them wide discretion to intervene in the normal functions of a democratically elected council – and intervene they have.

Rather than observing and supporting good governance, the monitors have inserted themselves into internal politics, interfered in council meetings and treated capable women councillors with disrespect. In one example they attempted to table their own report during a council meeting, something well outside their remit. When told this would be inappropriate, a monitor threatened that refusing to comply would not be viewed well and would be adversely reflected in their final report to the minister. Meanwhile the same monitors have conveniently ignored the behaviour of a factionally aligned Labor councillor who publicly abused both the mayor and the deputy mayor in front of witnesses. One monitor is now even subject to potential legal action after a female councillor sought a stop bullying order through the Fair Work Commission. These monitors are operating at the minister’s direction to create the pretext he needs to justify his actions.

All of this comes at a significant financial cost to Kingston ratepayers, with each receiving $1335 per day plus out-of-pocket expenses. One monitor who lives in the country even stays in a serviced apartment near the council offices at ratepayers expense. That is not to mention the reimbursement for travel, professional development and ICT. With the monitors’ term concluding at the end of this month, the Kingston community fears the minister will either extend their appointment or sack the councillors altogether and install administrators unless principled councillors yield to his demands. Minister, these monitors were never needed. Governance is already properly executed by the four-term mayor and council officers who are well led by an experienced CEO. The only governance problems originate from one or two Labor councillors who are either frequently absent at ratepayer cost or causing disruption in the chamber. Minister, get your hands off Kingston.