A DISPUTE between two Hobsons Bay councillors is scheduled to be heard over five days at the Victorian and Civil Administrative Tribunal, some time after March 22.
The dispute, which has cost ratepayers $110,000 to date, relates to a complaint by Cr Peter Hemphill against Cr Tony Briffa, alleging misconduct in emails to former Mobil public relations adviser Maureen Short.
In the emails, Cr Briffa said Ms Short should be sacked and “any goodwill gained from our meeting at Mobil . . . has been completely erased and the gloves are now off”.
On August 11, 2011, an independent councillor conduct panel found Cr Briffa had breached the council’s code of conduct. Cr Briffa was ordered to apologise, undertake mentoring and undergo counselling.
Cr Hemphill’s subsequent complaint, alleging serious misconduct over the same matter, and the adequacy of Cr Briffa’s apology, will be decided by VCAT.
After Monday’s VCAT appearance, Cr Briffa said: “If Peter Hemphill is so confident of success, I challenge him to pay all the legal costs personally if he loses.”
Cr Hemphill did not respond to the Weekly’s request for comment.
