State row over Ronald letter

By Paul Dunlop
LIBERAL MP John Vogels has come under fire for accusing Cardinia Shire mayor Bill Ronald of bringing local government into disrepute, with Labor MP Adam Somyurek labelling the claims as outrageous.
In a fiery response to comments made by Mr Vogels in State Parliament, Mr Somyurek said that only a few weeks earlier the Opposition MP had said he looked forward to working with him.
As reported in the Gazette last week, Mr Vogels had accused Cr Ronald in State Parliament of showing “blatant disregard” for the Local Government Act.
Opposition MPs also demanded answers from Local Government Minister Candy Broad as to why investigations into Cr Ronald’s conduct were taking so long to be resolved.
“It is my understanding that this councillor has been reported 13 times for investigation to the Office of Local Government with no response.
“This brings the whole of local government into disrepute,” Mr Vogels said.
Mr Somyurek said Mr Vogels’s comments were surprising given he had earlier written to the newly elected mayor offering his congratulations.
Mr Somyurek said Mr Vogels wrote to Cr Ronald saying: ‘Your community spirit, dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm for local government are obviously all qualities attributable to your election as mayor, where your fellow councillors and ratepayers will continue to reap the benefits of your expertise.’
“Yet in this chamber this week, Mr Vogels . . . has accused the mayor of the most serious misdemeanours and called for the Minister for Local Government to investigate what he claims is a blatant disregard for the Local Government Act,” Mr Somyurek said.
“He even stated that Cr Ronald brings local government itself into disrepute.
“Yet the incidents to which he refers date back to May and June 2004 — a full seven months before his hearty letter of congratulations.”
Mr Somyurek said Mr Vogels also wrote in his letter to Cr Ronald, dated 10 January, ‘Best wishes in the new mayoral role. I look forward to working with you during this period’.
“What has changed so dramatically for (Mr Vogels) to make such outrageous statements in this chamber about a man who he was willing to work with just a month ago?”
Mr Vogels did not respond to Mr Somyurek during the debate.
But a spokesperson from his office told the Gazette the letter was a proforma letter of congratulations sent to all mayors across Victoria following their election.
Mr Vogels declined to make further comment.
The investigation into Cr Ronald centres on alleged breaches of the Local Government Act stemming back to 2004.
The longserving Pakenham councillor has been accused of releasing confidential information to a tender candidate; failing to disclose monetary gifts and failing to disclose interests in the PB Ronald estate.
Cr Ronald has always denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had been the victim of a vendetta waged against him by colleagues on the previous council and shire officers.
A spokeswoman for Local Government Victoria said the investigation was continuing.