Instead of focusing on the real misdeed, and in true Yes, Minister style, it seems the terms of reference of the inquiry were circumscribed to only look at the council processes to protect the councillors.
“We didn’t know,” seems to be the cry from council — “We are not responsible!” And now, “We have supporting evidence as adduced by the undisclosed legal reviewer,” they seem to be saying.
I don’t think councillors sticking their collective heads in a bucket of sand lets them off the hook.
They should follow this up rather than involve themselves in armouring their backsides.
In my opinion, the real question should have been: “Was any opportunity provided for corruption or fraud by dint of the councillors and executive not being told of the identity, experience and past performance of the tenderers?”
This question is still unresolved and, as such, should immediately be referred to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission as per the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy adopted by council on June 15, 2021.
It is clear that council lacks competence to deal with this matter, and that is why the policy exists.
Peter Bertolus,
Kialla
35°C