Local Government
AT LAST: Labor moderates completely cleared while Ombudsman under pressure to quit
Popular former mayor of Brimbank Natalie Suleyman has been completely vindicated and cleared after a Local Government Victoria investigation into allegations made by Victoria’s increasingly discredited Ombudsman George Brouwer. VEXNEWS understands that all of the individuals adversely named in the Ombudsman’s report who were the subject of recommendations that charges be laid against them have also been exonerated by the extensive nearly year-long probe.
The letter from the Chief Municipal Inspector raises very serious questions about the conduct of the Victorian Ombudsman and the nature of his findings against many individuals.
Brouwer’s position is untenable now.
He made the most scathing and damning findings imaginable, loudly asserted that laws had been broken and that action needed to be taken.
The council was sacked because of it. Jobs lost. Reputations injured.
It is time for him to be accountable for his actions, his decisions and his scandalous misconduct.
We’ve spoken to a number of the Ombudsman’s victims and its clear that he has caused them all a serious psychological and professional injury.
It’s so cruel. So evil that almost takes your breath away.
And when the Ombudsman’s investigation is examined it emerges that his serious allegations are basis, not enough to support a prosecution, let alone a conviction.
It is a first-class disgrace that George Brouwer – one of the highly paid public servants in Victoria pulling nearly $10,000 per week – is allowed to remain in his office by a Government and Opposition too craven to take action.
Brouwer’s malevolence and lack of accountability goes way beyond party political differences.
Every Victorian should be gravely concerned with what he’s done and what goes on in his office.
He conducted an investigation into the Brimbank council and only included evidence that supported his narrative that they were all dodgy and had to be sacked. He was provided with extensive rebuttal evidence and included nothing to stopped the flow of his condemnation.
Yes, there was a political stink around the Brimbank council. A racist ginger group had ensured that. But a quasi-judicial officer like the Ombudsman ought act decently and should ensure his staff do the same in doing their work. They should take all rational views and opinions into account but above all look for proof. Instead, their attitude is: Verdict first, evidence last.
DODGY STAFF
The Ombudsman has allowed people like Lachlan McCulloch, a man whose own words and books reveal him to be a man unsuited to a stressful job and a completely inappropriate choice to investigation public service wrongdoing, to run amok without any accountability. Call us old fashioned but rough-as-guts cowboy discredited ex-Drug Squad types who write books confessing to multiple criminal acts are really not appropriate. And that’s exactly what McCulloch is.
We doubt McCulloch even knows he’s doing wrong. He’s just a one-trick vicious pit-bull used to inappropriately intimidate witnesses and extract confessions (false or otherwise). It’s almost beyond belief that he could get work in an agency designed principally to investigate public servants. His bullying and thuggish behaviour is now the stuff of legend.
CORRUPT CULTURE
When journalists and even presiding officers of the Parliament make even the most basic and reasonable inquiries about the Ombudsman’s conduct, they are either stonewalled or threatened. And it’s not just McCulloch either. There is a culture of corruption and secrecy and thuggishness that clearly extends throughout the Ombudsman’s office.
The Ombudsman’s function is important.
Far too important to be trusted to the proven failures currently working there. They are wasting obscene amounts of money and producing bogus reports with recommendations that go nowhere because there is no evidence to support their claims.
There is something wrong with Victoria.
It’s a presumably well-intentioned man whose absolute power has gone to his head. It’s time that head was lopped.
Brouwer is a law unto himself. He answers to no-one. He misuses his draconian powers.
He should be sacked by agreement of both sides of the Parliament and replaced with someone with respect for the rule of law.
We can only hope the Proust inquiry into the Ombudsman will yield real results to ensure this out-of-control man’s office is subjected reasonable accountability and oversight measures.
If not, any one of us could be the next Natalie Suleyman.
The assumption that the Ombudsman can never be wrong, that his recommendations are always right, must always be embraced without hesitation and that his intentions are always honourable is now forever rebutted.
He has made many errors. The bizarre statutory framework created by supposed human rights crusader Attorney-General Rob Hulls means that he’s never held accountable for them. That needs to change.
Discussion
49 comments for “AT LAST: Labor moderates completely cleared while Ombudsman under pressure to quit”
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Time to really act Brumby not use people as scapegoat’s. Another day, another ombudsman report. Cate Quinn, head of the drug and alcohol unit, was stood down today due to useless allegations for none other but the Victorian ombudsman. The ombudsman needs to be accountable to someone. Time to act Brumby!
So proof that the acceptance of all of the ombudsmans recommendations where based on knee jerk reactions!
she’s back!!
Dam right she’s back and my word she must be ready to chop a few heads!
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The article “sounds like” Clinton Dempster at his best.
I can’t see an attributed author.
Did Clinton write the article ?
Your news on this matter is tainted with so much opinion that is it bordering on farce. Your one party line is unfortunate, as you clearly are on top of things.
If you spend a minute in the shoes of an average Brimbank resident you might see how much damage has been done.
As for the Onbudsman, clearly the man does not make decisions on a whim.
Demage done by the ombudsman where are the charges Louis??
Lachlan McCulloch must be investigated??Who is accountable for the waste of taxpayers money there must be a independant investigation……
After all the pain and suffering which has been caused action is needed. Where is the apology ? When will Lachlan Mc Culloch be charged with attempted assault ? When will the discredited George Brouwer resign ? When will Erin Barlow make a sworn statement about the intimidation she was a party to ? When, indeed ?
Hey Brouwer. Time to call your mate John Cain. Not even he can save you now.
Natalie please come back to Council and bring like minded people with you. We need real representation at Brimbank.
Let’s bring Natalie back. We need a real leader on Council. Someone who stands up to bueracratic bullies.
Mr Brouwer – your political agenda has been exposed once more. They should call you Mr Frivolous.
Bring back NATALIE SULEYMAN
She is just another of the branch stackers reapiing rewards
Who is going to investigate the ombudsman? He is currently more powerful then any political leader in the country. His comments and correspondence to a variety of organisations is based on, he is always 100% right every time.
George Brouwer must be held accountable he is paid over $10,000 a week with extra ordinary powers, when will his office be investigated and made public?
Natalie Suleyman isnt a branch stacker the unions are the real branch stackers.
Good old George Brouwer, eh? Once AGAIN, the dark, shady figure behind the ALP throne(s). How could you possibly place trust in this man who, when head of the Premiers Department (under good old John Cain) was renowned for notating files with instructions written in pale green ink, designed to fade away and never ever be seen under FOI or any other inquest into records.
It’s time for the sins of the past to be brought to Mr. Brouwer’s account – God knows there’s plenty of ‘em (sins, I mean!). But don’t wait for Premier Brumby to do anything about it – after all, Brouwer’s been a very good servant (attack dog?) for the ALP since the early 1980’s. And, don’t expect Baillieu to do anything about it – actually, don’t expect Baillieu to do ANYTHING about ANYTHING!
What a state the governance of this State is in – we’re damned if we have Brumby, and we’re damned if we have Baillieu. What an absolute tragedy.
Ah well! What might have been.
Cheers,
Observer.
Posted by Observer | December 11, 2009, 14:16
hear hear sir
Heaven forbid we don’t get rob hulls
Leave the cow to pasture and allow us Brimbank residents to bathe in the warmth of a new beginning without the likes of the “Suleymans” or “Seitz’s”. Good riddance to them all and to their stench.
Was Suleyman convicted of driving without a licence?
Long live the Suleyman!!you must hate it you racist pig..Andre the Giant
Posted by Observer
fully agree expose Brouwer!!
MASSANG, Lydia 1226
GIUDICE, Margaret 4628
SULEYMAN, Natalie 10367
CHOLOSZNECKI, Gail 540
CELEBIOGLU, Gary 2362
JACOMB, William 1160
ZUKALSKI, Marilyn 2426
CARBONARI, John 894
Suleyman was convicted of driving without a Licence that pleasure goes to Brumby MP Adem Somurak!!!
Not Suleyman you idiots driving without a licence!!!Adem Somurak MP convicted for driving without a licence..ha ha ha
Susanne L seems to have redeemed herself. I’m now neutral on her and appreciate what she has done recently
Natalie Suleyman was always the most popular public figure of the west. Bring her back we need people like her.
ha ha ha
Fantastic news!!
she is just another hack in it for herself
Everyone’s a hack in the ALP!!let’s not start with the Liberals!!!
As one who has been subjected to interrogation by Brouwer’s team; let me state it is not a pleasant experience. You have no rights, and face contempt charges if you fail to appear. Your accusers are anonymous, and they do not have to have any proof, just a dislike for you. The interview is recorded, but you are not given a copy and although it is supposed to be confidential, others seem to know what was said straight after.
There are too many cases of this Ombudsman overstating and even fabricating evidence. Maybe Brimbank needed better goverance, but suspending democracy seems over the top.
Madden should go.
Natalie,Haki & george have run the Council as their own Kingdom so getting rid of them wasnt a bad idea, however it seems like we have another Nero in Brouwer. Rob Hulls was quick to come out and sack Jumps racing which lawfully employs hundreds and doesnt breach the Human Rights Charter, so where is he on this one. Oops I forgot, George is an ALP lovechild and has too much power for Hulls to act alone.
Margaret Guidice Nick Foa Telmo Languiller Brendan O’Conner Mammeralla ran the Council like their own kingdom for many years lets not kid ourselves……..
Andre always compalined about Natalies abilities.
Rob Hull’s charter of human rights does not exist. FOI legislation in the ombudsman office doesn’t exist. I still find it ironic that criminals can walk into police stations and have their rights yet public servants can’t even walk into the ombudsman’s office and leave without their tapes. Now that’s a bloody disgrace.
Natalie, send me your resume. I hear you make a mean kebab.
Everybody complained about Andre’s dress code. In fact that was one of the reason’s Theo dumped him from the front bench. It was those shiny black shoes.
Andre’s dress code was that bad that the ALP had to deport him.
At least he wore cloths
Oh that loving ride through Footscray. Less we forget!
grade five litercay skills | December 14, 2009, 12:23 learn how to spell idiot
talk about poor litercay
Time to do the numbers marlene ops I mean George, only problem George will be dead by the time we reach next preselection