Wasiiradda Dowladda Victoria Oo Damacsan Inay Maamule Gaar Ah U Dhiibo Golaha Deegaanka Hepburn Shire

Wasiirka Dawladda Hoose ee Victoria, Paul Hamer, ayaa ujeedadiisu tahay inuu magacaabo maamule si uu u maamulo Golaha Deegaanka Hepburn Shire. Shanta ka mid ah toddobada xildhibaan ee golaha ayaa la hor keenay dacwad madaxi-banaan waxaana la joojiyay.

Dacwaddii Ganacsade David Penman Iyo Saamaynteeda

Ganacsade degaanka Hepburn ah, David Penman, ayaa dacwad ku soo oogay shanta ka mid ah toddobada xildhibaan ee golaha. Eedeymaha uu keenay waxay ku andacootaa in xildhibaanadu si sharci darro ah u qaateen miisaaniyadda sanadka ee golaha iyagoo aan haysan dukumiintiyo maaliyadeed qaar.

Tani waxay keentay in shanta xildhibaan laga joojiyo shaqadooda, taasoo u dhigaysa in goluhu uu si ku meel gaar ah u xirmay. Xildhibaan Tim Drylie lama joojin, isagoo ah midka kaliya ee ka mid ah toddobada aan la joojin.

Ujeedada Magacaabista Maamulaha Iyo Tallaabooyinka Baarlamaanka

Ujeedada magacaabista maamulaha ayaa ah in golaha Hepburn Shire uu sii wado shaqadiisa ilaa ay ka xallimaan arrimaha sharciga ah. Wasiirka ayaa xusay in sharci loo jeedinayo in la kaashado xaaladaha la midka ah ay tixgelinayso baarlamaanka.

Tony Clark, oo ah duqii hore ee Hepburn Shire oo mid ka mid ah xildhibaanada la eedeeyay bishan, wuxuu xusay in go'aanka maamuleyntu yahay mid togan oo macquul ah. Wuxuu rabo in si degdeg ah loo xalliyo oo xooggan loo qaado.

Falcelinta Xildhibaanada Iyo Cabashooyinka Bulshada

Clark wuxuu sheegay: "Waa xaqiiqdii waqti aad u dhib badan oo shaqsiyan xanuun leh, waaye dhibaato kuwada qofkasta". Wuxuu intaa ku daray in bulshadu la beegsanayso sababtoo ah iyagu bixiyaan qiimaha.

Xildhibaan Tim Drylie wuxuu yidhi: "La xisaabtanka waa loo baahan yahay, walina waa inaysan ku imaan lacagta xuquuqda dimuqraadiga ah ee dadka degan". Wuxuu ku eedeeyay in Labor aysan xidhin faraqa sharciga, wuxuuna doonayaa jawaabo.

Five of seven councillors stood down as private charges prompt ministerial intervention

Victorian Local Government Minister Paul Hamer intends to appoint an administrator to run Hepburn Shire Council. Five of its seven councillors face private prosecution and have been stood down. The move aims to keep services running until legal matters conclude.

Charges and council stand-down

Hepburn businessman David Penman brought charges against five of the shire's seven councillors, forcing their temporary stand-down and effectively halting council operations. The allegations state the councillors acted unlawfully by adopting the annual budget without certain financial documents.

Former mayor Tony Clark was among those charged this month and has been stood down. Councillor Tim Drylie has not been stood down and remains in position. The prosecutions have left the council unable to function through its normal elected membership.

Ministerial response and legislation

Minister Hamer said the administrator will remain until private prosecution matters are resolved, ensuring the council delivers for residents. He noted legislation to prevent similar situations is being considered by parliament, following the disruption at the shire.

Hamer stated the situation could not continue and that residents were paying the price. His letter to the council CEO confirmed the appointment intention. The intervention follows a partial council shutdown caused by the private legal action.

Reactions from councillors

Tony Clark said the administrator decision was positive and sensible, but urged more emphasis: "I think this needs to be addressed more quickly and much more strongly." He described a "very personally distressing time" and said the community bears the price.

Tim Drylie said accountability must not cost democratic rights and "Labor could have closed a known loophole in the law but have failed to act quickly." He said residents want answers, not decisions by "distant officials in Spring Street," and the government could do more.