Party politics row erupts

By Cam Scott
DEPUTY mayor of Casey, Rob Wilson, has lashed out at mayor Neil Lucas, accusing him of trying to oust Labor party councillors.
The accusation comes in the wake of council’s decision to order an investigation into council’s IT system to review emails sent and received from Four Oaks Ward councillor Roland Abraham’s computer.
Council ordered the investigation after the authenticity of an email Cr Abraham presented to council to support the reimbursement of a university course he is doing, was questioned.
Cr Lucas moved the motion to review Cr Abraham’s emails sent and received on Friday 17 June this year, and further moved that council seek legal advice as to whether or not any laws had been breached.
The council endorsed the recommendations with a majority vote and Cr Abraham has since said publicly that he welcomes the investigation into council’s IT system.
Cr Wilson pulled no punches this week, however, accusing Cr Lucas of orchestrating a politically motivated attack on Cr Abraham, saying that Labor councillors in general were being targeted.
“I think this was a politically motivated move from a councillor still involved as leader and organiser of the Liberal party in Casey, to take down a Labor councillor who is working very hard for his community,” Cr Wilson said.
“I see it as a straightout political attack. That’s his motivation, getting rid of local councillors, in my opinion.”
Cr Wilson said that Cr Lucas had to come clean and say what his nonmayoral duties include in working for the Liberal Party.
“How does he reconcile those roles with fact that he moved two motions that could effectively end Cr Abraham’s council career?”
When asked if the incamera motions he raised last week were politically motivated, Cr Lucas defiantly answered, “Absolutely not”.
“The reason for both motions was to have an issue appropriately investigated in the interests of council and those that it represents,” he said.
“If there are issues in a council that need to be, and should be investigated, then it’s a sad reflection if they’re not undertaken because of some party allegiance.
“Public officials and elected representatives have a responsibility where public funds are involved, to have issues fully investigated. There is nothing wrong with shining the clear light of day on the activities of any councillor if they relate to his or her work as an elected member.
“It’s a sad day when councillors attack each other through the press in this way.
“Party politics in my view should have no place in local government, but I’m not stupid, party politics are there, but I would emphasise that is not a result of my doing.”