Whittlesea Mayor Aidan McLindon has been suspended for six months in response to allegations of intimidating behaviour and is banned from performing any official duties for the north Melbourne council during that period.
“I am satisfied this is necessary to protect the health and safety of the councillors and staff at Whittlesea City Council,” Victoria’s Local Government Minister Nick Staikos said.
Following “serious issues of governance and health and safety concerns” at the council Staikos announced Wednesday a commission of inquiry would be held into Whittlesea City Council to investigate the claims against McLindon – Whittlesea Mayor since November 2024.
“Local councils play a vital role in communities across the state and Victorians rightly have high expectations of their councillors,” said Staikos.
McLindon was banned last month from attending in-person council meetings following complaints of aggressive and intimidating behaviour
After receiving several psychological incident reports from councillors expressing fear and trauma at having to interact with McLindon, council CEO Craig Lloyd instructed the mayor to contact fellow councillors via email only.
The independent inquiry will have broad-ranging powers “to address potentially serious and systemic governance issues” at the council and will allow a detailed examination of “any legislative, regulatory or other reform needed to address the issues that have occurred at the council since the elections in October 2024.”
The decision to hold an inquiry followed a call from ten councillors for McLindon to resign and a unanimous agreement to a vote of no-confidence in the mayor. “After receiving a letter co-signed by ten councillors requesting urgent intervention, I have determined that a commission of inquiry is needed,” said Staikos.
“The situation at the City of Whittlesea is unprecedented — including the unanimous no-confidence motion in the mayor, and his subsequent ban from council premises for occupational health and safety reasons,” he added.
A statement from Whittlesea council – which represents around 230,000 residents – said it “welcomes any process that seeks to further strengthen good governance and support the safety and wellbeing of the council and staff.”
A dark day for democracy
McLindon took to social media to protest against his suspension calling it “a dark day for democracy in Victoria”.
In a further announcement, McLindon strongly denied allegations of intimidating behaviour. “I have not had an argument with anybody in the building at the City of Whittlesea but I have been smeared and slandered against to say that I have been aggressive,” he said.
Adding that he is collegial with everybody at council, McLindon said “there has been no evidence put towards me or to the local government minister for the governing council to stand me down for six months.”
The position of Whittlesea mayor is now vacant and – in accordance with the Local Government Act – will need to be filled within one month. Deputy Mayor Daniela Zinni will perform mayoral duties until a replacement is elected.
The inquiry start-date and commissioners to lead the investigation will be announced in due course. “We want Victorians to have confidence in their local councils,” said Staikos. “This inquiry will help to identify any changes needed to ensure the council is operating as required and in the best interests of its local community.”
News source quoted from https://www.governmentnews.com.au/whittlesea-mayor-suspended/