The leaking of confidential minutes of a Local Government NSW meeting to the media was politically motivated and designed to harm him, Eurobodalla Shire Councillor Lindsay Brown says.
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Local Government NSW sought Cr Brown’s resignation as vice-president for regional and rural matters in April over what he says was an administrative error in a travel claim.
He has vowed to defend his reputation and has sought legal advice on the leak.
ABC South East NSW reported confidential minutes of a recent association board meeting showed Councillor Brown was found in breach of the association’s code of conduct, and the board resolved to seek his resignation and that he “make appropriate reimbursement”.
It’s unclear how the code of conduct was breached or what the reimbursement was for, however, Cr Brown told the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner it was related to an administrative error in a travel claim.
“The issue that arose with LGNSW is a confidential matter and I for one will respect the confidentiality of the decisions of the Board,” he said.
“However, the deliberate leaking of this confidential information to the media now means that I need to respond in some manner so that I can defend my reputation, which has been now seriously damaged, for what appears to be political reasons.
“The issue at the centre of this matter relates to an inadvertent administrative oversight on my behalf which I have fully rectified.
“This related to travel claims during a period where I had to document well over 150 different items.
“Unfortunately, as I was advised, in two of these LGNSW claims I made an error, which at the time of the claims was not picked up by either me or the body to which the claims were sent. I accepted accountability for my error, and offered my voluntary resignation for this, and other personal reasons.
“I am seeking further advice regarding the deliberate leaking of this matter which is intended to cause me harm. I am also seeking further legal advice in regard to the processes that have been undertaken by the Board in this matter. I am therefore unable to provide any further information.”
Local Government NSW has declined to comment on the matter.
The association said Cr Brown was elected to the position in December of 2017, and resigned effective April 6, 2018.
The association would not comment on whether or not there would be an investigation into the leak.
Eurobodalla Shire Council said the matter would not affect Cr Brown’s role on the council.
“The council has not been made aware of the matter by LGNSW and is unaware of the facts or any potential ramifications,” a spokesperson said.
“It is a matter between the LGNSW Board and Lindsay Brown. The council is aware that Cr Brown resigned from his role as LGNSW Board Vice President Rural/Regional Councils.”
