Commission of Inquiry into the Nillumbik Shire Council

Full description

Establishment

On 29 December 1997, the acting Minister for Planning and Local Government, appointed Mr. David Abraham as a Commissioner in accordance with section 209 of the Local Government Act 1989, to conduct an inquiry into matters relating to the affairs of the Nillumbik Shire Council.

The Commissions role was set out in the following Terms of Reference

The Commissioner is to examine and to report in writing to the Minister for Planning and Local Government on the following matters:

* The working relationships between the Shire President, Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer and the Council Management Team prior to and subsequent to the election of the Council in March 1998;

* The impact of these relationships on the good governance of the municipality since the election and the implications for the good governance of the municipality into the future;

* The circumstances relating to the Chief Executive Officer, the Shire President, and some or all of the Councillors agreeing to a termination package for the Chief Executive Officer on or about 13 December 1997, the propriety of such an agreement and the appropriateness of the agreed package; and

* Any other matters relevant to the good governance of the Nillumbik Shire Council which become apparent during the coursed of the Inquiry.

In conducting the Inquiry, the Commissioner was assisted by officers from the Office of Local Government.

The Commissioner submitted an Interim Report to the Minister of Planning and Local Government in May 1998. A final report was submitted on 18 August 1998. The Nillumbik Council was subsequently suspended by order of the Governor-in-Council on 13 October 1998. The Commission was terminated on 11 November 1998.

Location of Records

Records of the Commission of Inquiry into the Nillumbik Shire council are listed below.