Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg Forces Change In Local Government

By now you would have heard of or about Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg and her plight elected on the City Of Melton and the challenges she has faced driving meaningful change for her constituents of Melbourne's West. The matters haven't just caused her grief in her term but those of her family and children with The Age recently attacking her and her family. The article raises allegations as truth stating her partner had been sharing photos of another councilor's child, while doing the same thing nationally.

It later was established that the journalist, Sophie Aubrey was an associate of the councillor. Despite the fact Cr Vandenberg's partner was almost jailed and reports that an assailant with a firearm attended her property in an attempt to kill her family, she continues to advocate and fight.

Removing our focus from the politics turning personal some good news beyond just representation and delivering outcomes has recently occurred and this is a big thing for ALL Victorians.

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Local Government, Elections and Democracy

A quick overview, Local Government is overseen by Local Government Victoria a state agency which is intended to act as a policy and compliance wing of Government alongside the Local Government Inspectorate however, as many will report from their experiences. The two very rarely appear to achieve the outcomes and objectives they are legislated to through parliament and it is not uncommon for voters to be bounced between multiple agencies.

Local Government Victoria however, holds one important function being the responsible authority that manages councillor behaviour and disputes. A quasi-judicial mechanism that oversees these matters with a judicial officer just as any court will host. For a long time, many have been raising concerns with how it is managed and the lack of burden of proof required. It has long been reported that it can be an easily gamed court to remove elected representatives and political opponents.

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Turning adversity into opportunity

It has long been reported that women are disproportionately being taken to the quasi-judicial court and being reprimanded with many investigations alleging the arbitration process is being used to silence victims and political opposition. The system is also being used by factional blocks to target and remove democratically elected representatives.

This is also an issue that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has highlighted in it's Sandown report and poses a significant corruption risk. We can agree, being able to remove your political opposition who was democratically elected by voters and establish a power block provides those blocks the ability to undertake corruption in government which, it is accepted is rife in Local Government.

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Turning the tides on corruption

Cr Vandenberg is no stranger to this process as she reports in her first term she was threatened and tried to resolve matters internally and the threats escalated which included "we'll just get rid of ya with arbitration". But as all good leaders should be, she did not remain silent. She was found to have brought her council and councillors into disrepute but the items she raised were substantiated by the arbitrator as truthful, a snippet of that outcome is provided below.

Despite being true and accurate, Cr Vandenberg was suspended and found guilty. This proved to her that the system did require change because calling out poor behaviour even if criminal would see the person telling the truth victimised and punished and the criminals walk free.

The above outcome has led to a lot of legal action and back and forth which will be published at a later date. However, Ash has had one win and it has changed the system for everyone.

The legislation requires the PCCR to assess if the councillors have attempted to resolve matters prior to making a submission for arbitration. Cr Vandenberg has had a number of attacks occur and has proven that she has always tried to resolve matters and it is her political opponents whom do not want to resolve matters and are utilising this system in an attempt to have her removed from her democratically elected position.

Reports are being made that recent applications to the PCCR are being knocked back seeking the applicants to evidence that they have tried to resolve matters. If they are unable to do so, they are not progressing.

Further identified is the fact that this is a judicial system but has no avenue for review or complaint as other courts in Australia overseen by the relevant Judicial Commission which is a major flaw.

Despite the personal elements, Australian's more so Victorian's should be concerned knowing that the person they voted for democratically can be removed by their opponents using a hidden court system without the same level and standard as other courts. There is no burden of proof or checks on perjury and it is solely up to one person to decide despite tens of thousands of voters, exercising their democratic right.

An item like this does not exist in any other first world nation that harms democracy and it should be challenged.

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