Details of council probe revealed: the public briefing as it happened
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
RESIDENTS will get their first look at findings from a City of Newcastle review tonight.
A public briefing is being held on the independent inquiry into the council's policies, procedures, and processes which was designed to restore public trust and confidence in the council.
The review was a key pillar of Independent lord mayor Cr Ross Kerridge's election campaign, which promised a "thorough, forensic investigation into the Scott Neylon/Jeremy Bath/Jason Sivo letters saga" which has beleaguered the council and community since the Newcastle Herald launched its investigation into the letter to the editor writing campaign over a year ago.
A City of Newcastle (CN) code of conduct investigation carried out by external consultant Pinnacle Integrity found there was "insufficient evidence" that Mr Bath was involved in a misleading letter-writing campaign under his best mate Scott Neylon's name, or that he passed confidential information to his friend of 25 years, who has lived in Japan for decades.
Only one of 19 letters submitted to the Herald over nine years was examined and the investigation process drew wide criticism from the community.
Three months into the job and with no review yet pitched from Cr Kerridge, Liberal deputy lord mayor Callum Pull put forward his own motion in December 2024 calling for an independent probe into the council's policies, processes and procedures.
Despite Cr Kerridge's attempt to postpone the decision until after the Christmas break, councillors forged ahead after arguing the continued threat of an investigation would be bad for staff morale and the council's reputation.
The first public indication that Davidson had been approached about the review was in an "executive comment" report provided to councillors alongside Cr Pull's motion.
The report said Davidson had been approached to understand the cost of a proposed independent review.
Davidson was already involved with City of Newcastle, undertaking a benchmarking exercise to see how Newcastle council stacked up against other similar sized councils in NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
The exercise was designed to look at how Newcastle council compared when it came to debt, grant revenue and procurement, including value for money.
The executive report provided to councillors said that "familiarity" ensured a discounted total cost if Davidson undertook the review.
The report said Davidson predicted the review would take eight weeks, starting January, and cost in the vicinity of $70,000 plus travel costs.
"A $20,000 discount to this quote has been offered on the basis of the existing analysis of CN already undertaken as part of the benchmarking process," the report said.
The review is being undertaken by Davidson Business Advisory, a consulting firm that is already undertaking a benchmarking exercise of the council's expenditure and operational performance.
The Herald understands former Brisbane Council chief executive Colin Jensen, and former Melbourne City Council chief executive Justin Hanney are at the helm of the review.
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Australia plays down US review of AUKUS submarine deal
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Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. 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"Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said. Australia has played down a US Pentagon review of the AUKUS security pact, despite concerns about the future of the nuclear submarine component of the deal. Under the $368 billion agreement, Australia will acquire three Virginia-class submarines from the US in the early 2030s before a new fleet of boats is built for delivery from the 2040s. The three-nation partnership is between the US, Australia, and the UK, and was signed in 2021 under former Liberal prime minister Scott Morrison and the US Biden administration. The Pentagon will consider whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's "America First" policy. Defence Minister Richard Marles confirmed the US had advised Australia and the UK of the review. "We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review," he said in a statement on Thursday. "It is natural that the administration would want to examine this major undertaking, including progress and delivery." Mr Marles pointed to the UK's recently completed AUKUS review, which reaffirmed its support. "We look forward to continuing our close co-operation with the Trump administration on this historic project," he said. Critics of AUKUS point to the lagging production of boats in the US, and warn that the deal might jeopardise the American navy's capabilities or undermine Australia's defence sovereignty. Australia paid the US almost $800 million in February - the first of a number of payments - to help boost its US submarine industrial base. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told Mr Marles during a meeting in Singapore this month that Australia should lift its defence spending to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product, or output. Australia's defence spending is on track to hit around 2.3 per cent of GDP by 2033/34. Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, US Congressman Joe Courtney, on Thursday warned against dumping the AUKUS deal. "To walk away from all the sunk costs invested by our two closest allies - Australia and the United Kingdom - will have far-reaching ramifications on our trustworthiness on the global stage," he said. "(It) is a direct contradiction to the administration's 'America First, but not alone' goal of countering aggression from China, Russia, and other adversaries." Opposition frontbencher Bridget McKenzie said the US review was a "deeply concerning development" ahead of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's departure for the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday. Mr Albanese hopes to have a meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the gathering in Alberta. "Any undermining of this serious and substantial alliance between our two countries should be of grave concern to all of us," Senator McKenzie told Nine's Today show. Greens defence spokesman David Shoebridge said it was time the government held its own inquiry into the "dud deal". "We need an independent defence and foreign policy, that does not require us to bend our will and shovel wealth to an increasingly erratic and reckless Trump USA," he said.
West Australian
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Australian news and politics live: Richard Marles says Government warned about Pentagon AUKUS review
Scroll down for the latest news and updates. Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has suggested it is time for the Australian Government to 'wake up' as both the UK and the US 'review' the AUKUS deal. 'The UK is conducting a review of AUKUS,' he said on X. 'The US DoD is conducting a review of AUKUS. 'But Australia, which has the most at stake, has no review. 'Our Parliament to date has been the least curious and least informed. Time to wake up?' Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles says it's 'natural' that the Trump Adminstation would want to review the AUKUS agreement after the Pentagon launched an inquiery to ensure it met US President Donald Trump's 'America First' agenda. 'We are committed to AUKUS and we look forward to working closely with the US on the review. The United States advised Australia and the UK of the review. 'It is natural that the Administration would want to examine this major undertaking including progress and delivery, just as the UK Government recently concluded an AUKUS review and reaffirmed its support including through the appointment of Sir Stephen Lovegrove as its AUKUS Adviser. 'There is bipartisan support in the United States with the passage of important provisions in the National Defence Authorization Act in 2023 to enable the transfer of US Virginia class submarines to Australia, and to enable Australians to work on maintenance activities of US Virginia class submarines.' 'Our engagement with the Trump Administration and across the full political spectrum in the United States has shown clear and consistent support for AUKUS. 'We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with the Trump Administration on this historic project.' Read the full story.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
AUKUS defence pact 'being reviewed' by US government
The US government is reportedly reviewing the AUKUS trilateral defence agreement between Australia, the UK and the US. The decision to conduct a review has been reported by multiple news outlets including Reuters, which cited US defence officials without giving further details. The review will reportedly examine whether the pact is in line with US President Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, according to the ABC which also cited a Pentagon source. AUKUS is a three-nation security alliance between Australia, the UK and the US agreed in 2021 under the prime ministership of ex-Liberal leader Scott Morrison. It was formed to counter China's strategic moves in the Pacific arena and was underpinned by an agreement between the US and the UK to provide Australia with access to nuclear-powered submarine technology, to eventually replace its aging Collins-class boats. The deal is worth hundreds of billions of dollars, although the first submarine is not expected to join the Australian fleet for years. Australia, which in February made the first of six $US500 million (about $800 million) payments to the US for the boats, is expected to initially buy between three and five off-the-shelf Virginia-class boats. At the time, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Mr Trump was supportive of the AUKUS deal. "The president is very aware, supportive of AUKUS," Mr Hegseth said after a meeting with Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. "(He) recognises the importance of the defence industrial base." Mr Marles responded that the pair had discussed how the US and Australia could advance their longstanding diplomatic relationship in terms of national security, including AUKUS. Australia's military budget is expected to rise to 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product, or output, by 2034. The US regime has already called for Australia to increase that spending to around 3.5 per cent. Australia tore up its $90 billion diesel-powered submarine deal with France to sign on to AUKUS and is contracted to buy several off-the-shelf submarines costing about $US4 billion each, before making its own. The first Australian-made boats are not due to be operational until the 2040s.
