UNION heavyweights have weighed into the Hobsons Bay Council election.
Communication Workers Union postal and telecommunications branch state secretary Joan Doyle said Cr John Hogg, a Wetlands ward candidate, should not be “boasting” of his time as the former assistant secretary of the state branch.
“Cr Hogg failed to be re-elected as an official of the branch in 2011,” Ms Doyle said.
“Charges of misconduct were laid against him under the rules of the union. An external disciplinary board found that ‘collectively the actions and omissions of Mr Hogg constituted improper conduct and therefore misbehaviour’.”
As exclusively reported by this newspaper in 2010, Ms Doyle was charged with tracking Cr Hogg via a GPS system allegedly installed in his work car without his knowledge.
Cr Hogg subsequently applied to the Werribee Magistrates Court for an intervention order against his then-boss.
In September 2010, the charge against Ms Doyle was dropped when the prosecution failed to produce the tracking device.
CWU former president Len Barry has leapt to Cr Hogg’s defence, saying he was exonerated of the misconduct charges.
“Ultimately, John was charged under the union’s rules but was exonerated and found not guilty. I am not surprised that Ms Doyle has animus toward John. After all, the union had to compensate him as a result of her actions.”
Cr Hogg, who was assistant state secretary from 2007-11, confirmed he was compensated but declined to go into details.
“The community will see Ms Doyle’s attempt to influence this election for what it is, and the former president of the union has defended me, my conduct and my reputation.
“We do not need the influence of any political parties in council elections.”
