Ronald must step aside: MP

By Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA mayor Bill Ronald has been challenged to step aside while an investigation into allegations of impropriety is settled.
Bass MP Ken Smith made the call this week, claiming it was improper for Cr Ronald to continue to lead the council until an inquiry into his conduct was resolved.
The local government department has for the past 18 months been carrying out an investigation into complaints against Cr Ronald for alleged breaches of the Local Government Act.
“In view of the extremely serious allegations, Cr Ronald should step aside from his position as mayor and councillor until the matter is resolved by the Minister and local government inspectors,” Mr Smith said.
The Bass MP’s call met a blunt response from Cr Ronald, who has labelled the investigation part of a vendetta led against him by the previous council.
“The only person who should be stood down is Ken Smith and he’ll be stood down by the community at the next state election,” he said.
Cr Ronald refused to comment further on the investigation, which was highlighted on ABC’s Stateline program on Friday night, prompting Mr Smith’s call.
“I don’t comment on allegations, only facts,” the mayor said. “Particularly allegations raised by a vindictive previous council.”
As previously reported in the Gazette, the complaints against Cr Ronald centre around claims he failed to declare a pecuniary interest when issues affecting the Heritage Springs estate on land that was formerly part of the Ronald family farm were discussed at council meetings.
Opposition MPs have recently raised the matter in State Parliament, calling for Local Government Minister Candy Broad to intervene and bring a speedy intervention to the investigation.
Shadow spokesman for Local Government John Vogels said the allegations against Cr Ronald suggested a “blatant disregard” for the Local Government Act.
Cr Ronald has always maintained he has nothing to fear in the investigation and pointed to his record of “impeccable service” over 13 years with the former Pakenham Shire and Cardinia.
A spokesperson from the local government department told the Gazette yesterday the investigation was still continuing.
The Stateline report ran under the headline ‘Accusation and intrigue in the Cardinia Shire Council’.
It screened footage, captured on a surveillance camera, of Cr Ronald assaulting former chief executive Don Welsh in a carpark in Melbourne last year.
Cr Ronald pleaded guilty to the assault and was placed on a sixmonth good behaviour bond, which expires next month. The magistrate ordered no conviction be recorded.