Report on misconduct in City of Bayswater - Corruption and Crime ...

CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION
MEDIA STATEMENT
<strong>Report</strong> on misconduct in City of Bayswater
13.11.09
A Corruption and Crime Commission report into the City of Bayswater tabled in the
Parliament today says two former senior employees engaged in misconduct over their
dealings with the weed spraying company, Turfmaster.
A former Council Director of Technical Services and now Bayswater Councillor, Mr Terry
Blanchard, had a conflict of interest arising out of his friendship with a proprietor of
Turfmaster.
Although he informed his supervisor of the friendship, he continued to order work under
the contract tender from the company.
He also agreed to a change in the contract with Turfmaster without going through the
proper procedures resulting in higher costs to the City.
The other former senior employee, the then Manager Parks and Gardens, Mr Carmelo
Cassili, regularly provided Turfmaster with work without first getting quotes though there
is no evidence of any corrupt motivation.
Due to the time since the events occurred, and the fact that neither person is still
employed by the Council and no action can be taken against Mr Blanchard as an
elected official, no recommendation has been made as to further action concerning
individuals.
However, the report made recommendations to tighten procedures around employee
time sheets, the submission of financial returns by elected members and the declaration
of gifts and benefits.
Commissioner Len Roberts-Smith QC said the report contains information which
provides valuable examples for local governments about the sort of misconduct that can
occur when there is insufficient awareness of misconduct and controls to prevent it.
He said though public hearings were held in 2005, it has taken until now to complete the
report as:
Charges resulting from the investigation had to be dealt with;

Since then the City has been actively working with Commission officers to identify
misconduct risks and develop and implement strategies to address those risks;
and
Other Commission reports had greater priority.
Because of legal precedent and in the interests of natural justice, a former City of
Bayswater employee has not been named in the report as those particular allegations
were dealt with by the DPP and the courts.
Media contact: Owen Cole 9215 4802, 0439 910 161
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