Politics
Private prosecution forces five Victorian councillors to stand down, crippling local government
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Private prosecution forces five Victorian councillors to stand down, crippling local government
A resident's private criminal charges against five Hepburn Shire councillors and their CEO have triggered automatic suspensions, leaving the council unable to pass major decisions.
- Resident David Penman filed private prosecutions against five of seven councillors and the council's CEO, alleging they unlawfully adopted the budget without required financial documents.
- Penman said his actions were "democracy functioning through the rule of law" and that elected representatives must obey the law.
- Hepburn Shire Council stated the prosecutions are "disrupting democracy" and have not involved any investigation by Victoria Police or a public prosecutor.
- Councillor Brian Hood said the council cannot meet a quorum for major decisions but daily services continue, and called for the Victorian government to intervene.
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