By CASEY NEILL
COUNCILLOR Maria Sampey risks disqualification from council if she refuses to sign a code of conduct.
“I’m not going to sign it,” she told the Journal after the Monday 23 May council meeting.
She walked out of the chamber when her fellow councillors voted on a motion to schedule a special meeting for Monday 27 June to review the Councillor Code of Conduct – a Local Government Act requirement.
Cr Sampey later in the meeting questioned why members of parliament did not have to sign a code of conduct.
“And the council staff don’t have to sign,” she said.
The council’s corporate services director Mick Jaensch explained that it was a requirement under Victorian law.
“What happens if a councillor does not sign the code of conduct?”she asked.
Mr Jaensch said: “That would be a matter for the State Government to address.”
“It may result in a councillor being disqualified from council.”
Cr Sampey continued: “I’m just concerned that what’s good for the goose isn’t good for the gander.”
“I’m just trying to work out who’s the goose and who’s the gander,” was Mr Jaensch’s reply.
