Councillors react to damning report

CITY of Ballarat councillors are currently meeting formally to discuss the findings of the State Ombudsman’ report into the conduct of CEO Justine Linley.

We spoke to most councillors on their way into the meeting.

Cr Grant Tillertt

“It’s a disappointing report… The end results, we’ll wait and see.”

“She [CEO Justine Linley] has changed the culture dramatically on her way though, make absolutely no mistake about that. There has been a massive change in culture, positive, from my perspective.”

Cr Des Hudson

“It’s an important meeting we’re having, and Blind Freddy would know we’re here to discuss that outcome of the Ombudsman’s report.”

“It’s a serious document and we need to take that into consideration and council will do that at the meeting.”

Cr Mark Harris

“The findings in the Ombudsman’s report are findings, not accusations, so we’ve got to make some decisions and take some actions, and people want that done expeditiously and it’s got to be done correctly.”

“In many respects, the Ombudsman’s office is not like a judicial process you’d normally see… but it does have short comings. You just wonder about the natural justice of it.”

“2020’s been a shit of a year. We should be doing other things other than what we’re doing now.”

Cr Amy Johnson

“The councillors will be having a discussion this evening about her [CEO Justine Linley] tenure at the City of Ballarat in relation to the finding made in the Ombudsman’s report.”

“My thoughts on the report at what’s contained within it are incredibly disappointing and concerning and that’s a view shared by a majority of the councillor group, I believe.”

Cr Jim Rinaldi

“I’m very disappointed with the report. As councillors we expect everything must be governate controlled.”

“We’re disappointed as a council and I’m sure the city is as well but natural justice has to take its course at this point.”

Cr Samantha McIntosh

“What I would say at this stage of the game is it’s very important that we understand the difference between perception and reality. It’s important that there is every fair and due process that’s taken and that consideration needs to be given for obviously all of the council staff and also our community.”

Cr Daniel Moloney

“There’s a few different options being considered [including dismissing the CEO], so there’s going to be a few different things discussed tonight. I think pretty clearly there are some serious issues that need to be addressed and I think the situation is becoming untenable.”

“The findings are horrific, they are very damaging for the council and clearly we need to act. The question really now is ensuring we follow up on the process and basically really quickly trying to bring back some confidence in the council.”

Mayor Cr Ben Taylor was not available for comment before the meeting.

Cr Belinda Coates gave no comment.