‘He stood on the mayor's foot': How the Liverpool Council chaos turned physical
The discord between the elected officials is among matters under the spotlight of the NSW Office of Local Government's public inquiry into Liverpool City Council, which is examining councillors' conduct as well as its handling of finances, property purchases, staff employment and more than $150 million in state government grants for infrastructure projects.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig announced the public inquiry in July last year after a report detailed serious allegations of dysfunction and maladministration at the western Sydney council.
In the month prior, the council had sensationally ousted its 10th chief executive in eight years, John Ajaka, the former president of the NSW Legislative Assembly, after a falling out with Mannoun.
Counsel assisting the inquiry Trish McDonald, SC, said in her opening address on Monday the inquiry would consider whether the functioning body of the council – which oversees dozens of suburbs earmarked for significant growth – was operating effectively.
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To that end, McDonald said the hearings would examine the 'long history on the council' and 'antagonism' between Mannoun, a Liberal, and Ristevski, a former Liberal councillor who returned as an independent in the local government elections in September.
The pair appeared to have 'a troubled relationship which seems to be spilling in, or affecting, the operation of council', the inquiry was told.
The inquiry was told about one alleged incident on February 20, when Mannoun met councillors and external recruiters to discuss the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
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