Lismore councillor Graham Meineke has been reprimanded by the head of the Office of Local Government, and will not receive payment for three months.
The reprimand and payment suspension follows an investigation into two instances where Cr Meineke voted on matters relating to one of his clients.
Office of Local Government acting chief executive Tim Hurst said he was satisfied that Cr Meineke contravened the council’s code of conduct on 9July 2013 and again on 10 December 2013 by participating when matters relating to his client were being discussed
‘The non-pecuniary conflict of interests was ‘significant’ as it was a current client relationship and ongoing business relationship likely to be perceived by a reasonable and informed person as an interest that could influence Councillor Meineke when carrying out his public duty,’ Mr Hurst said in a statement.
The private interest stems from his private business, GM Project Development and Management in which he is a planning consultant.
The matter related to his client’s property in Rous Road, Goonellebah.
Mr Hurst said that even when he was warned about the risks of conflict of interest, Cr Meineke ‘did not take advice about governance matters, or seek advice to understand his obligations to manage conflicts of interests’.
And while Cr Meineke’s conduct evidences ‘a reckless disregard’ for his obligations as a councillor, Mr Hurst found there was no evidence of concealment or deceit present in the matter.
Cr Meineke has been a councillor for eleven years and has indicated that he may not stand as a candidate in the next local government election in September.
The pay suspension begins on 1 June.
The website of the Office of Local Government indicates that the decision is the subject of an appeal.
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