Sophie Conlon
CITY of Mount Gambier mayor Lynette Martin has reaffirmed her, and council’s, support for Member for Barker Tony Pasin in his bid for Barker pre-selection after the fact.
This comes as council newcomer Jason Virgo blindsided elected members and presented a motion without notice at the May council meeting, calling for an investigation into whether Ms Martin broke code of conduct by providing a written testimonial using her mayoral title for Mr Pasin.
Cr Virgo presented the motion, which was rejected, in three points:
-That council reaffirms it does not endorse any particular candidate for pre-selection or election in state or federal elections.
-That council issues a media release confirming the aforementioned.
-That a report be prepared outlining whether mayor Martin’s written endorsement of Tony Pasin was consistent with points 2.5, 2.8, 3.4 and 3.6 of the code of conduct, and provide any recommendations as to what an appropriate outcome should be, and what measures can be taken to ensure council does not seem to endorse any particular candidate for pre-selection or election in state and federal elections.
Ms Martin refused to accept the motion, but confirmed she wrote the testimonial using her mayoral title on behalf of council
“I did provide that testimonial for the Member for Barker, as I would have done for any other Member for Barker who had assisted council and the whole electorate, particularly in the City of Mount Gambier, with funding for things like Wulanda, the racetrack, he’s done a heap of things,” she said.
“That’s the reason I provided that support, it was as the mayor of Mount Gambier- on behalf of the City of Mount Gambier- for what he has achieved.”
Though the motion was rejected, Ms Martin invited Cr Virgo to present it again at the next council meeting with notice so his fellow councillors had time to consider how they might vote.
“It’s not my habit to accept urgent motions without notice because I think members need to perhaps consider what is being presented to them and not make these decisions on the fly,” she said.
“You’re welcome to bring it back as a written motion with notice, Cr Virgo, so that it can be considered appropriately.”
Cr Virgo was contacted for further comment, but did not respond.