The Barkly Regional Council has received a review that includes an investigation into bullying and harassment claims made against the mayor and the chief executive officer but has given no indication of when the findings will be made public, however the deputy mayor has said the organisation was committed to “positive culture of transparency, accountability, and empowerment”.
In a media release last week Russell O’Donnell said the report was received at a special confidential meeting last Thursday but said they still could not talk about the review.
“As the matter is still in confidential business, council is unable to make further comment at this time,” Mr O’Donnell said.
“We are committed to creating a positive culture of transparency, accountability, and empowerment at the BRC.
“Council is committed to working in the best interests of the community at all times, and takes our charter and obligations to our community seriously.
“When appropriate, council will be making further comment but until such time it will be business as usual delivering council’s comprehensive suite of services to the Barkly community.”
The mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin had previously told ABC radio the report would be released, probably with some redaction,s but did not issue the press release himself as he is unable to be involved with the process.
Police allege he returned a positive road side test result for cannabis, and they later found “a number of cannabis plants and material” at a Tennant Creek residence, but did not specify if it was his house.
Mr Hayes was interviewed on the radio before Mr McLaughlin, and said he had resigned because he felt his ward was being disrespected by the council, and that there was a lack of services to his ward because of staff not being replaced.
“They haven’t got any staff to look after people in the bush, and, and, it’s very, you know, well it’s terrible,” he said.
“In other words, you know, the team went down the drain, you know, just went down and down and, and, just the people in the at bush are suffering. The communities that is.
“…now we don’t hate these people but they get paid you know, to do what, they get paid a lot of money to do their top jobs, you know, they’re supposed to look after people…we have feelings.
He was asked by the host Stewart Brash what he thought would have made the biggest difference to have prevented him from resigning.
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