Premium Content:

SAT judgement: Lisa Scaffidi breached local government act

The State Administrative Tribunal has ruled that Perth’s Lord Mayor, Lisa Scaffidi, breached the Local Government Act by not declaring travel and gifts.

- Advertisement -

The tribunal found that the Lord Mayor had committed 45 serious breaches of the Local Government Act by failing to disclose travel and gifts, including a trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics that was paid for by mining company BHP Billiton.

Ms Scaffidid had pleaded guilty to not declaring five of the instances listed in the case, but has always maintained that no wrong-doing had occurred in the remaining 40 occasions .

The tribunal disagreed ruling that all 45 instances were a breach of the act. The head of the tribunal Justice Jeremy Curthoys rejected Ms Scaffidi’s defence.

“She ought to have made enquiries and satisfied herself as to whether third-party contributions to expenses were being made,” he said.

“A failure to make enquiries and effectively plead ignorance, is not capable of establishing an honest and reasonably held belief.”

The Lord Mayor was not present to hear the findings at the tribunal. She has just returned from an overseas trip where she was representing the city at a number of functions in the USA.

Today’s hearing did not included any recommendation on what actions Ms Scaffidi should face for the breaches, they will be handed down at a penalty hearing in a week’s time. The tribunal could deliver a judgement that stops the Lord Mayor holding office for up to five years.

The decision puts further pressure on the Lord Mayor to resign from her position.

Premier Mark McGowan has previously declared his wish to replace the entire City of Perth Council. This morning the Premier repeated his call for the Lord Mayor to “do the right thing” and resign from her position.

The Premier has told the media that if Ms Scaffidi does not resign from her position, her colleagues should move a no confidence motion to remove her from her leadership role. Perth City Council is due to meet tonight.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has been contacted for comment. 

OIP Staff

 

 

 

Latest

A Madonna song has just surpassed a billion views on YouTube – can you guess which one?

It's maybe not the first song that comes to mind, or even the second, or third.

On This Gay Day | In 1982 the RSL stopped a wreath honouring gay service personnel

In 1982 RSL President Bruce Ruxton barred LGBTIQA+ service personnel being recognised.

German cardinal calls for next Pope to embrace Catholic teachings on homosexuality

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller says an Orthodox leader must be the next Pope.

K-pop star Bain from Just B shares that he’s part of the LGBTIQA+ community

The singer of one of the few K-pop stars who has shared that they are gay.

Newsletter

Don't miss

A Madonna song has just surpassed a billion views on YouTube – can you guess which one?

It's maybe not the first song that comes to mind, or even the second, or third.

On This Gay Day | In 1982 the RSL stopped a wreath honouring gay service personnel

In 1982 RSL President Bruce Ruxton barred LGBTIQA+ service personnel being recognised.

German cardinal calls for next Pope to embrace Catholic teachings on homosexuality

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller says an Orthodox leader must be the next Pope.

K-pop star Bain from Just B shares that he’s part of the LGBTIQA+ community

The singer of one of the few K-pop stars who has shared that they are gay.

‘Senate Twink’ shares he has a new life in Australia

Aidan Maese-Czeropski has given his first interview about the 2023 scandal.

A Madonna song has just surpassed a billion views on YouTube – can you guess which one?

It's maybe not the first song that comes to mind, or even the second, or third.

On This Gay Day | In 1982 the RSL stopped a wreath honouring gay service personnel

In 1982 RSL President Bruce Ruxton barred LGBTIQA+ service personnel being recognised.

German cardinal calls for next Pope to embrace Catholic teachings on homosexuality

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller says an Orthodox leader must be the next Pope.