This morning I have written to the Glenorchy City Council aldermen advising them that in seven days I will decide whether or not they should be suspended and a commissioner appointed.
It is clear to me and to many in the community that the Council is not functioning as it should, which is why a Board of Inquiry is currently underway. The Inquiry will continue regardless of whether the councillors are suspended. I expect that the Board of Inquiry will be completed within the coming months.
I do not take this action lightly, but I must do everything possible to ensure the best interests of the Glenorchy community are protected.
Councillors now have seven days to write to me and explain why I should not exercise the powers I have under the Local Government Act to suspend them.
If, after that seven days, and considering their responses, I form the view that suspending them is in the interests of the community I will do that and move to appoint a commissioner.
Unlike the Huon Valley Council, I am not looking to dismiss the councillors at this stage, rather I am considering whether or not to suspend Glenorchy City councillors for up to six months and appoint a commissioner. A decision on whether Glenorchy City councillors would be dismissed will be made once the Board of Inquiry report has been finalised and considered.
The people of Glenorchy and the Tasmanian community in general deserve better than this.
More Media Releases from Peter Gutwein
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