A war of words has erupted between a state Liberal MP and Wyndham council’s chief executive.
Kelly Grigsby has accused western metropolitan MP Bernie Finn of using time in Parliament to drive personal agendas rather than represent the needs of his electorate.
Ms Grigsby’s comments come in response to a speech in Parliament on February 9, in which Mr Finn repeated his call for the sacking of Wyndham council.
Mr Finn referred to a special council meeting, closed to the public, on December 23 last year, at which Cr Glenn Goodfellow was suspended for the first two council meetings of this year after being found to have breached the Local Government Act.
“The latest incident involves the holding of a council meeting in secret on the eve of Christmas,” Mr Finn said. “I think … this council is totally dysfunctional, that good governance has broken down and that there really are not too many councillors there that are worth two bob.
KELLY GRIGSBY SAYS MR FINN’S COMMENTS ARE “ILL-INFORMED”.
“The community in Wyndham is showing extreme frustration and total disgust,” Mr Finn asserted.
“The number of people who hear the name Wyndham council and just shake their heads and walk away is quite staggering.”
Mr Finn called on Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins to dismiss the council and appoint administrators.
Ms Grigsby has hit back, saying Mr Finn’s comments are “ill-informed”.
“The minutes of the meeting have been provided to Local Government Victoria and the Local Government Minister’s office,” she said.
“If there are any concerns about the governance practices occurring at Wyndham, Mr Finn should take this matter up directly.
“It is unfortunate that Mr Finn is using his valuable speaking time in Parliament to drive personal agendas rather than representing the needs of his electorate,” Ms Grigsby said.
She said it was unfortunate that such matters “detract from the job at hand”, but she was confident the council could work with Mr Finn to address his concerns and those of the community.
A spokeswoman for Ms Hutchins said Mr Finn’s allegations needed to be referred to the appropriate investigative body.
“The minister will then consider any recommendations from those investigations,” she said.
