Muswellbrook Shire Council has self‑reported to the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Office of Local Government following an independent investigation into matters linked to the Richard Gill School.
Mayor Jeff Drayton said the decision was made after council received the findings of an investigation into the initial deal to gift the land to the school, with formal complaints lodged to both agencies late last week. Council would now wait to see whether either body decides to take further action.
Drayton said the council’s investigation had limitations, particularly where individuals declined to participate, and that ICAC’s broader powers could allow a more comprehensive examination of the issues. Drayton said all issues are linked to the previous administration, and has no implications for the current council.
He described the matter as one that had been present within both council and the wider Muswellbrook community for several years, saying the current council had chosen to deal with it openly rather than allow it to continue unresolved.
“This council’s made a decision to be transparent, to be completely transparent,” he said,
“It hasn’t been dealt with when it should have been dealt with. This council made that decision to deal with it, which is what we’re doing. We want to get it finalised and behind us.”
Drayton said the Office of Local Government would also be involved in providing advice on governance processes, with a focus on ensuring similar issues cannot arise again in the future.
