❓ Hon Martin Aldridge questions alleged breaches of the Local Government Act 1995 by Hon Darren West MLC regarding local government election influence. The investigation found breaches occurred in one case, resulting in a reminder letter.
AnsweredQoN 736Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to complaints referred to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries with respect to the Hon Darren West MLC and alleged breaches of the Local Government Act 1995 , and I ask: (a) is the investigation ongoing or has it concluded; (b) what were the result of the investigation; (c) who was interviewed as a result of the complaint; (d) who led the investigation within the department; (e) were Department of Premier and Cabinet or parliamentary resources used to make the donations in question; and (f) does the Minister support such overt influence in Local Government elections by a member of the Executive Government?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 April 2018
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Local Government
Response time
10 days
(a) The matter has been finalised.
(b) In one case, that no breaches of the Local Government (Election) Regulations 1997 had occurred. In the other, that breaches had occurred; and as is normal practice in the circumstances a letter reminding the person of interest of their obligations under the Regulations was sent.
(c) No interviews were conducted, however, evidence was sourced from the relevant local governments and person of interest.
(d) The investigations were overseen by the Manager Sector Governance, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
(e) The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries did not investigate the source of the donation, as it was not relevant to the alleged breaches of the Regulations.
(f) There is no statute that prohibits Members of Parliament from making donations to candidates in local government elections.
(b) In one case, that no breaches of the Local Government (Election) Regulations 1997 had occurred. In the other, that breaches had occurred; and as is normal practice in the circumstances a letter reminding the person of interest of their obligations under the Regulations was sent.
(c) No interviews were conducted, however, evidence was sourced from the relevant local governments and person of interest.
(d) The investigations were overseen by the Manager Sector Governance, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
(e) The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries did not investigate the source of the donation, as it was not relevant to the alleged breaches of the Regulations.
(f) There is no statute that prohibits Members of Parliament from making donations to candidates in local government elections.
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