MERRI-BEK: Deputy Mayor suspended for one month
Merri-bek councillor Jay Iwasaki (pictured) has been hit with a one-month suspension after an arbiter found he breached the Model Councillor Code of Conduc.
Cr Iwasaki emailecd fellow councillors with accusations against Cr Oscar Yildiz.
According to the determination, Iwasaki fired off emails to 26 councillors and executives with accusations over a proposal to resurface a car park used by the Brunswick Juventus Football Club.
The arbiter found there was no evidence of wrongdoing, and described the emails as “unnecessary, inappropriate, inflammatory and damaging”.
Cr Yildiz had warned Cr Iwasaki against making such allegations. Cr Iwasaki then repeated the claim.
Cr Yildiz was found to have declared his role with the club, sought governance advice and did not vote on the decision.
The arbiter also noted councillors should raise governance concerns through proper internal processes.
Following the misconduct finding against Cr Iwasaki, he was forced to make a written apology, and suspended for a month.