A LOCAL Councillor’s new role within Local Government NSW has come under fire after Broken Hill City Council resigned from the association.
Last year, the municipality withdrew from the peak lobby group after concerns regional and mining communities were left behind with preference being given to metropolitan councils.
At that time, Cr Darriea Turley was president of the association and was forced to resign.
Recently it has come to light that Cr Turley has taken on a new position within the association as an adviser to the new president.
Cr Turley has also been appointed as a director of LGNSW’s internal superannuation fund – Vision Super.
It is believed the role of director of the Vision Super was previously reserved for councillors of elected member councils.
The appointment was previously mentioned at BHCC’s last ordinary monthly meeting.
Broken Hill Mayor Cr Tom Kennedy said it had been pointed out in an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) presentation that councillors and management have a requirement to report potential wrongdoing.
“Potential wrongdoing includes anything that the average person might think is a problem,” Cr Kennedy said.
“The advice from ICAC was that the LGNSW is a private organisation and they didn’t believe on the surface that there was an issue.
“Though, they acknowledged that it was funded solely by contributions from councils and would consider this.”
Cr Kennedy said BHCC has met their legislative requirements to report potential wrongdoing.
“We as council are no longer members of LGNSW and what happens with this is a matter for LGNSW and its members.”
Cr Kennedy said a Sydney-based media outlet had contacted council has someone had reported the issue with a belief BHCC was involved.
“It shouldn’t be up to Cr Turley to declare her role, but the LGNSW should have told their membership they created this position,” Cr Kennedy said.
“The LGNSW needs to be more transparent.”
Fairfield Mayor Cr Frank Carbone told the Daily Telegraph the LGNSW role was “a job for mates” and called on Cr Turley to resign.
“This shows the board has no transparency by appointing a non-member council to oversee business, members haven’t been informed that she is the new paid role and is still attending board meetings,” he said.
An LGNSW spokesperson said the decision to retain Cr Turley was made unanimously by the board.
“Given the untimely and unexpected end to Councillor Turley’s Three years as president of LGNSW, the board unanimously resolved to retain her services as a special adviser,” the spokesperson said.
“This decision was made in light of the fact that Cr Turley was democratically elected to the role of president by her local government colleagues.
“Neither the new president, Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM, nor former president, Cr Darriea Turley AM, were present during the meeting when the decision on the special advisory role was made.
“Cr Turley also has 30 years of experience in local government and LGNSW looks forward to her continuing to make a valuable contribution in pursuing members’ interests.
“As part of this decision, the board also resolved that Cr Turley remain as an LGNSW ALGA representative as she remained a councillor in line with their requirements.”
In establishing the advisory function, the board also decided the special adviser be invited to attend LGNSW board meetings and other duties at the discretion of the president.
“A competitive selection process with independent assessment was undertaken to provide a nominee for appointment by LGSS Pty Ltd, then known as Active Super, for which Cr Turley was eligible,” the spokeswoman said.
“Any questions concerning the appointment should be directed to that entity.
“LGNSW maintains that it has acted as provided for by its rules.”
ICAC NSW and Cr Turley have all been contacted for comment.
