It's all about free speech, says Fidge

Medical leave 'did not stack up'

THE simultaneous departure of senior staff at Wangaratta Council last year was due to their concerns about occupational health and safety.

The assertion was made by legal counsel representing the “joined parties” of four former councillors on the final day of an appeal lodged at VCAT by Julian Fidge.

Dr Fidge’s appeal is in response to a councillor conduct panel finding against him.

Former chief executive officer Doug Sharp and directors Ruth Tai, Andrew Close, Ray Park and Graham Nickless all left their positions at the height of the council’s governance crisis in May 2013.

Legal counsel Sandip Mukerjea said Dr Fidge had ignored “legitimate concerns” raised by the staff about repeated comments the former councillor had made about them.

“The applicant’s conduct had an added component of culpability in ignoring those concerns,” Mr Mukerjea said.

Mr Mukerjea said the situation was heightened due to the close working relationship between councillors and staff.

He described local government as being different to other levels of government.

“The chief executive is not prime minister of Wangaratta,” he said.

“He is an employed public servant and entitled to the same level of respect and protection as any other public servant.”