By Jeremy Sollars
The Southern Downs Regional Council has refused to make public a report from an investigation into complaints made against chief executive officer David Keenan and senior council managers.
The council last week released a statement saying seven individual complaints had been “independently investigated” and none had been substantiated.
While the statement emphasised that none of the complaints were in relation to the alleged bullying and intimidation of staff – issues reported on by the Free Times earlier this year – it did not specify who had lodged the complaints, nor did it provide any detail on the nature of the complaints.
The Free Times asked the council to supply a copy of the report but was refused, with Mr Keenan advising this was not possible “as it includes details of interviews with staff and non-staff”.
But Mr Keenan did advise that the report was conducted by Melbourne-based consultancy firm CT Management, which is a preferred supplier of management services to Queensland councils through the ‘Local Buy’ initiative of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), the state’s peak lobby group for local governments.
CT Management has a head office in Melbourne – with one of its directors being former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett – and has offices in Brisbane and Hobart.
The council would also not disclose the identity of the investigator who had been engaged by CT Management, and it is not known if they were an employee of the company or an outside contractor engaged on a one-off basis.
The Free Times can however reveal that a previous assessor of separate complaints relating to mayor Tracy Dobie and Mr Keenan – which did not form part of the CT Management investigation – was Ray Burton, who is a co-member along with Mr Keenan of the Local Government Managers Australia Queensland division, a body separate to the LGAQ and comprises senior local government managers and CEOs from across the state.
Those separate complaints relating to Cr Dobie and Mr Keenan are understood to have been likewise found to be unsubstantiated.
In last week’s statement, Mr Keenan said in total there were “seven complaints lodged (against himself and senior council managers) none of which related to bullying or intimidation”.
“As part of the investigation, staff were interviewed and non-staff members were also interviewed. Of the seven complaints, the independent investigator has determined that none have been substantiated,” Mr Keenan said.
“Southern Downs Regional Council will continue to facilitate a workplace environment free of bullying and intimidation.
“In recent staff meetings, employees have again been made aware of how to report bullying, harassment and other workplace issues.
“Additionally, staff were made aware of the use of Public Interest Disclosures and the role unions can have in reporting workplace issues, as well as the availability of the Employee Assistance Program should staff be experiencing personal issues.
“There is a clear expectation from myself and management that council staff will work and be productive in the duties and roles they are employed to undertake.
“The investigation has taken up significant financial and human resources.
“It is disappointing that aspects of the investigation were provided to the media, as this has impacted on the workplace.
“The investigation is completed, and it is time to move on.”
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