Ronald rejects ‘witchhunt’

By Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA mayor Bill Ronald has angrily rejected claims of impropriety made against him by Opposition MPs.
Cr Ronald, who was criticised in State Parliament last week, said he was the victim of a Liberal Party witchhunt.
Shadow spokesman for Local Government John Vogels went after Cr Ronald over claims — first raised by the previous council — that the longserving Pakenham representative had leaked confidential information and failed to disclose pecuniary interests.
Mr Vogels accused Cr Ronald 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.
Cr Ronald, who has denied the claims, said the attack was a disgraceful act.
He said the Liberal Party was trying to discredit him because they feared he could seek Labor preselection for the state seat of Bass, at present held by Ken Smith.
Cr Ronald declared he had no intention of entering state politics and described the attack as baseless.
He said he hoped local residents took a similarly dim view of the Opposition claims.
“This is an appalling abuse of parliamentary privilege, it is gutter politics at its worst,” Cr Ronald said.
“There is no basis for this attack, there is no benefit in it for the community, it is a disgrace.”
Mr Vogels’ colleague Phil Honeywood also pursued the issue in State Parliament, claiming the investigation into Cr Ronald had cost up to $100,000 without resolution.
Mr Honeywood, the Liberals’ deputy leader, accused Ms Broad of giving different investigations the “goslow or the fast track” according to political imperatives.
Mr Honeywood said Ms Broad appeared not to want Local Government Victoria’s inquiry into Cr Ronald to come to an end.
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 P.B. Ronald estate.
He could be stood down as a councillor if the more serious allegations against him were proven.
Cr Ronald has always denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had been the victim of a vendetta waged against him by council colleagues and shire officers.
The mayor has said his willingness to question shire officers and criticise decisions had made him a target on council.
Cr Ronald said the huge vote of support he received in the recent shire elections and his subsequent appointment as mayor proved the community believed in him.
“They have shown faith in me as a councillor and a mayor and I intend to repay that faith,” he said.