'Mehajer is the only one who should be suspended': Auburn major
The mayor of Auburn has hit back at the NSW government's decision to suspend the city's councillors, saying their controversial colleague Salim Mehajer is only one who should be sidelined.
Mayor Le Lam was forced to hand back her $100,000, taxpayer-funded Lexus RX450 on Wednesday after Local Government Minister Paul Toole suspended the council pending a public inquiry into allegations of misconduct.
The council is set be investigated for a number of questionable property deals alleged to have benefitted some councillors including Mr Mehajer, a property developer and groom at the "wedding of 2015".
Ms Lam, who is the strata manager at two of Mr Mehajer's properties, told the Parramatta Advertiser other councillors should be allowed to continue to serve as the inquiry is carried out.
"When you’re guilty, a decision is made according to the verdict, but without proof, we aren't guilty of doing something wrong," she said.
"They have made the decision based on presumptions.
"At the moment we’ve been shut-out without solid reasons."
All 10 of Auburn's councillors, including Mr Mehajer, were benched this week and forced to hand over phones, laptops and tablets.
In December, Fairfax reported the council had voted 4-4 to approve the sale of one of the city's properties to a business connected to Mr Mehjaer's family at nearly half market value.
Both Ms Lam and Mr Mehajer abstained from the vote.
On Tuesday Mr Mehajer said in a statement the decision to suspend the council was premature.
"The decision of the 'suspension' remains respected. I am however disappointed that the 'indefinite suspension’ has taken place prior to the completion of the ongoing investigation," he said.
