Elsie Lange
Internal arbitration processes have cost Hume council nearly $143,000, new documents reveal.
Last month, councillors voted to make public the details of previously confidential historical arbitration processes, following years of in-fighting between councillors. Hume’s agenda for Tuesday, June 14, presents the total costs in relation to applications by councillors to the Principal Councillor Conduct Registrar from November 2020 until May 31, 2022 – $142,898.
This includes the “associated costs and other matters where council is paying for the legal costs of applications involving councillors in any complaints processes through bodies such as integrity agencies, court or commissions and the associated costs”.
Documents to be presented to council on Tuesday show the council has spent at least $48,583 on 21 internal arbitration matters brought by Cr Trevor Dance.
Only one has so far resulted in a finding of a breach of the councillor code of conduct.
The most expensive arbitration case to council, costing $16,987, was brought by mayor Carly Moore against Cr Dance.
In this case Cr Dance had eight breaches found against him, was banned from two council meetings and forced to apologise.
The documents also reveal council spent $65,014 on costs for the councillor conduct panel that saw Cr Dance found guilty of serious misconduct and suspended for three months.
Cr Dance has appealed that verdict to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and has been reinstated while the process plays out.
So far the appeal has cost council a further $9135.
Cr Dance has also lodged a Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission complaint against an arbiter.
The total costs are unknown because the process is ongoing but the council has already spent $3179 on this complaint.
Council will discuss the report at a meeting on Tuesday, June 14.
Cr Dance was contacted for comment.
