WHITTLESEA: Unanimous vote for Mayor to resign
Whittlesea Councillors voted unanimously on Tuesday night (Feb. 18), calling on Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon to immediately resign.
This follows allegations that Cr McLindon has committed multiple breaches of the Councillor Model Code of Conduct.
The subject was raised after a petiton from the public was presented to the Council meeting calling for Cr McLindon to resign. Cr Lawrie Cox said that the petition contained 1335 signatures.
Cr McLindon vacated the chair as discussion commenced on the motion. He returned to the Council Chambers after the vote, quipping: “It feels like a wake.”
The petition came after Cr McLindon, only weeks after being appointed as Mayor, stood as a candidate for the Werribee by-election. In a shaky performance at the Council meeting, Cr Christine Stow noted that it was anyone’s right to stand for election.
Deputy Mayor Cr Daniela Zinni took the chair for discussion. One person loudly interjected on several occasions, with Cr Zinni reading warning statements, and then calling for that person to be removed.
Cr Cox said that the Council needed to learn from the mistakes of 2020, when it was dismissed by the State Government.
Cr Martin Taylor, of South Morang Ward, who moved the original motion, said that residents had lost faith in Cr McLindon’s ability to carry out of his duties. Public confidence had been undermined. Matters of integrity and accountability were at stake, and the position of Mayor was not just a title.
“People need a Mayor who they can trust.”
The final motion voted upon by Councillors was that Council:
• Pursuant to the provisions of the Local Government Act 2020 (Victoria) resolves to pass a vote of no confidence in the Mayor, Cr Aidan McLindon, citing of (a) the Councillor Model Code of Conduct; and (b) public confidence in both the position of Mayor and the broader Whittlesea City Council.
• Calls for the immediate resignation of Cr Aidan McLindon from the office of Mayor, and
• Directs that the Deputy Mayor, Cr Daniela Zinni, send the Petition and a copy of this resolution to the Minister for Local Government in Victoria for the Minister’s information.
• Note the petiton.
Pictured: Whittlesea Mayor Cr Aidan McLindon alongside Council CEO Craig Lloyd at Tuesday night’s meeting at which the vote of no confidence was unanimously passed.