ALLEGATIONS Independent Member for Mildura Ali Cupper tried to influence last year’s mayoral vote have been referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
Liberal Party Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell on Fridayconfirmed she had referred the matter after receiving “many complaints” from members of the Mildura community.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence has alleged Ms Cupper was both “puppet-master” and “king-maker” during a “deal” team meeting of five councillors to discuss last November’s mayoral election.
Cr Clemence said Ms Cupper effectively chaired the meeting which included himself, and Crs Jason Modica, Mark Eckel, Helen Healy and Anthony Cirillo.
“These are very serious allegations that will undermine the Mildura community’s confidence in their elected representatives,” Ms Lovell said.
“Following many complaints from members of the Mildura community I have referred the matter to IBAC for investigation.”
Cr Clemence said he broke away from the “deal” club and subsequently successfully challenged proposed mayor-to-be Jason Modica for the city’s top civic post.
He said he felt Ms Cupper’s involvement in the selection for mayor and deputy mayor while a State Member of Parliament was “wholly inappropriate” and feared being complicit with a minefield.
The Mildura councillor who convinced Cr Clemence to seek a second term as mayor yesterday said he supported an investigation of the allegations.
Cr Clemence’s decision to again run for the top job was prompted after Cr Gavin Sedgmen indicated his support for the former Victoria Police Inspector.
Cr Sedgmen, who is seeking re-election in this months Local Government elections, yesterday said the matter deserved further scrutiny.
“I would be calling for an independent inquiry and I hope that the government does investigate the matter,” Cr Sedgmen said.
“It’s absolutely vital that we have a proper and thorough investigation that would go a long way to uncovering the truth,” he said.
Former Member for Mildura Peter Crisp, who lost his seat to Ms Cupper at the November 2018 State Election, said he was also in favour of a probe into the matter.
“There is an allegation there that should be investigated,” Mr Crisp said.
“We’ve been shone a light on on some events, but we need to establish the truth of the matter.”
An Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission spokesperson said that for legal and operational reasons, it generally did not comment on whether it had a complaint or investigation before the organisation.
Local Government Victoria said the election of a mayor had to be undertaken at an open council meeting and comply with the council’s governance rules.
A spokesperson for Mildura Council said it had considered the matter.
“The comments made by Cr Clemence on Facebook were his personal comments,” a spokesperson said.
“The comments were not made on behalf of, endorsed or authorised by Mildura Rural City Council.
“They are a matter for Cr Clemence, as he was commenting on his own behalf.
“Cr Clemence’s Facebook page is run by Cr Clemence and council does not resource or manage the page or its content.”
Ms Cupper this week refused to comment on the allegations.
