- The meeting was called to debate a Notice of Motion in part calling for the suspension of the CEO. The reasons given in the Motion were based on partial information livestreamed during the Public Inquiry into Liverpool City Council.
- The latter is scheduled to continue in October and November 2025.
- As a consequence, the majority of Councillors have significant conflicts of interests due to their involvement in the ongoing Public Inquiry and hence are unable to legally participate in debating the Motion. As a result, there will be a lack of a quorum until after the Public Inquiry has concluded and the Minister for Local Government has made a decision on the future of Liverpool City Council.
- Based on that information I suggested that debate on the Motion, which was ruled to be illegal, be deferred until after the Public Inquiry has concluded and the Minister for Local Government has made his decision, anything more is premature and denies due process to those involved.
- In effect, it is similar to that which occurred when the previous CEO was terminated which several Councillors and I objected to at the time. It was defeated due to a lack of support.
- Overall, the majority of Councillors (7-4) agreed with the Motion I seconded.
- In my view, management stability is critical at this time, suspending or terminating another CEO, serves no useful purpose and costs a significant amount of ratepayer money, particularly when the panel formed to hire the CEO, consisting; of 2 Labor, 2 Liberal, 2 Independents and 2 external Independents, unanimously agreed that the current CEO was the best candidate and offered him the position.
- I am of the view that for management stability reasons the current CEO must continue. If anyone believes otherwise then use proper legal avenues such as submissions to the NSW Electoral Commission, the ICAC, the Office of Local Government (OLG) or the State Ombudsman for investigation.
- Sadly, highly biased, politically motivated misinformation, and those with vested interests is being posted on social media and in particular on several Facebook pages. Most Posters have limited knowledge relating to these matters while some are simply influenced by emotive misinformation, exaggerations and highly offensive derogatory comments made for personal and political gain.
- As an elected Councillor, I will continue to carry out my duties in the best interests of the community and support fellow Councillors with similar points of view, but not those with a politically motivated agenda.
Councillor Peter Harle JP
15th of October 2025.