Auburn council faces 'sacking' due to concerns of 'conflicts of interest' among councillors
Auburn councilliors have been handed an ultimatum by the Local Government Minister, who has given a two-week deadline to provide a good reason why he shouldn't sack them all.
It's a decision that follows months of detailed allegations that several councilliors have been misusing their position for personal gain.
In 2012 the state government relaxed laws allowing councillors to vote on their own developments.
Salim Mehajer gained attention after reportedly spending $200,000 on his wedding last year. Photo: 7News
Immediately, Councillor Mehajer and fellow property developer, then-mayor Ronny Ouiek, voted to double building heights and increase densities, before constructing multi-million dollar blocks in Auburn and Lidcombe, all green-lighted by fellow councillors.
New mayor, Le Lam's brother-in-law is one of Salim Mehajer's business partners.. and two councillors own real estate agents.
Mehajer's over-the-top wedding put him in the spotlight last year. Photo: 7News
All councillors are under scrutiny, but none as high-profile as Mr Mehajer.
The deputy mayor has a lengthy rap sheet, including 22 driving offences plus matters currently before the courts including alleged threats to kidnap a Lindt Siege survivor over an argument at a Burwood gym, allegations he forged documents in the 2012 Council elections and fallouts with contractors.
In a written statement, Salim Mehajer said the inquiry is a great idea, as:
"...any 'wrong doings' by a particular Councillor or member of the council staff should be sacked immediately." (sic)
"If I need to take the steps of dismissing or suspending that council and appointing an administrator I will have no hesitation is doing so," Local Government Minister Paul Toole said.
The NSW government has given the western Sydney council two weeks to prove it should not be suspended.
Pictured with his wife on his wedding day, Salim upset some residents when he closed off streets for the celebration. Photo: 7News
"I have serious concerns about Auburn City Council's perceived decision making in relation to planning and development matters and the appearance that those decisions may have delivered an inappropriate benefit to some councillors," Local Government Minister Paul Toole said.
An administrator will be appointed if the council is suspended while the public inquiry investigates allegations development decisions have been skewed to benefit councillors and their relatives.
Mehajer will face court in March over allegations he threatened the father of a Lindt cafe siege survivor. Photo: 7News
"There are ongoing concerns around some councillors' potential conflicts of interests," Mr Toole said.
Opposition leader Luke Foley, who is also the member for Auburn, said the inquiry was overdue.
"Mr Mehajer and his colleagues, a number of them, have made Auburn a national laughing stock," he told reporters outside NSW parliament.
Mr Foley said the local councils needed to be reformed to block developers from taking elected council positions.
Mehajer and his fellow Auburn councillors have two weeks to come up with a reason why they shouldn't be 'sacked'. Photo: Yahoo7
Auburn councillor Irene Simms said she's disappointed at being tarred with the same brush as other councillors despite her calls for the inquiry.
"Those of us who have not been involved, we also get targeted. It's a price I'm prepared to pay if it will get community faith restored," she said.
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