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Geelong council sacked after allegations of misconduct Geelong council sacked after allegations of misconduct
(5 months later)
The Geelong council has been sacked and ratepayers will go to the polls next year.The Geelong council has been sacked and ratepayers will go to the polls next year.
A bill dumping the regional council passed the state’s legislative council on Thursday evening, after the government agreed to bring an election forward by three years.A bill dumping the regional council passed the state’s legislative council on Thursday evening, after the government agreed to bring an election forward by three years.
The Andrews government originally wanted to sack the council on Tuesday and keep administrators in place until 2020.The Andrews government originally wanted to sack the council on Tuesday and keep administrators in place until 2020.
Related: Darryn Lyons and 'dysfunctional' Geelong council to be sacked
The Liberals, Greens and the Geelong mayor, Darryn Lyons, all said not re-electing a council until then was undemocratic.The Liberals, Greens and the Geelong mayor, Darryn Lyons, all said not re-electing a council until then was undemocratic.
“I was here to fight to get democracy as soon as possible restored in Geelong,” Lyons told reporters on the steps of parliament on Thursday afternoon.“I was here to fight to get democracy as soon as possible restored in Geelong,” Lyons told reporters on the steps of parliament on Thursday afternoon.
The independent Commission of Inquiry report that sparked the dismissal debate did not recommend a next election date.The independent Commission of Inquiry report that sparked the dismissal debate did not recommend a next election date.
The report aired abuse allegations involving Lyons and other councillors.The report aired abuse allegations involving Lyons and other councillors.
It said Lyons threatened to close down a local business after yelling at its staff, then later told investigators he did not remember the interaction.It said Lyons threatened to close down a local business after yelling at its staff, then later told investigators he did not remember the interaction.
A council manager reportedly took to a chemicals shed with an axe, after a pregnant worker had asked for some ventilation.A council manager reportedly took to a chemicals shed with an axe, after a pregnant worker had asked for some ventilation.
The embattled mayor went to parliament on Thursday for a meeting with upper house crossbench MPs.The embattled mayor went to parliament on Thursday for a meeting with upper house crossbench MPs.
After the meeting, Lyons conceded a dismissal was on the radar.After the meeting, Lyons conceded a dismissal was on the radar.
“I always said I would make mistakes, right at the start before I was elected, and I think every elected member through those doors makes them far [more] often than I do,” he said.“I always said I would make mistakes, right at the start before I was elected, and I think every elected member through those doors makes them far [more] often than I do,” he said.
The former paparazzi king said he was proud of his achievements in Geelong.The former paparazzi king said he was proud of his achievements in Geelong.
Related: Naked selfie murals won't be censored, says Geelong council
That included having “the greatest Christmas tree in not just Victoria but in Australia”.That included having “the greatest Christmas tree in not just Victoria but in Australia”.
He maintained he was bullish but not a bully.He maintained he was bullish but not a bully.
Lyons did not rule out returning to politics when another election was held.Lyons did not rule out returning to politics when another election was held.
Earlier on Thursday, the local government minister, Natalie Hutchins, said the behaviour in Geelong was appalling and action needed to be taken.Earlier on Thursday, the local government minister, Natalie Hutchins, said the behaviour in Geelong was appalling and action needed to be taken.
“We’ve been very decisive in this,” she said.“We’ve been very decisive in this,” she said.