John Tanner AM will chair the panel until 8 December 2023 after which further appointments may be made to the panel, including the appointment of a new chair. Ms Sheed and Dr Emonson’s appointments are until the beginning of the first meeting of the council following the general election for the Council in October 2028.
The experienced administrators have been appointed to lead Moira Shire back to good governance after the council was dismissed in March.
Former Yarrawonga Shire Secretary Dr Graeme Emonson will return to the Moira region to help steer Moira Shire back to good governance.
A Commission of Inquiry found that Moira Shire Council could not effectively carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 because of significant governance failures.
Mr Tanner was one of two commissioners who conducted the Commission of Inquiry into Moira Shire Council and has served as interim administrator since March. Mr Tanner brings significant local government experience and a strong knowledge of the issues facing Moira Shire Council.
Former independent member for the electorate of Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed, will join the panel of administrators with extensive experience as a lawyer and brings a deep understanding of key issues in the region.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Ms Sheed was an independent Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the electorate of Shepparton from 2014 to 2022, serving as chair of the Parliament’s Pandemic Declaration Accountability and Oversight Committee and a member of the Family and Community Development Committee.
Ms Sheed has extensive experience as a lawyer and brings a deep understanding of key issues in regional Victoria. She has held board positions with the RACV, Goulburn Murray Water and the Law Institute of Victoria. Ms Sheed served as an independent member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2014 until 2022 representing the electorate of Shepparton.
Dr Graeme Emonson PSA was a former Yarrawonga Shire Secretary before the amalgamation of Moira Shire Council. He has worked in state and local government, including in rural and metropolitan councils. He brings expertise in leadership and organisational culture and is currently a Deputy Secretary in the Victorian Public Service.
Dr Emonson brings an extensive background as a Fellow and Board Member of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA), a former Executive Director of Local Government Victoria, CEO of the City of Wangaratta for five years to 2002 and CEO of Knox City Council from 2002 to 2016.
In a statement announcing the new panel Victorian Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne emphasised councils must faithfully represent the communities they serve.
“Moira Shire residents deserve quality services and a council that puts their interests first,” Ms Horne said.
“The appointment of the Administrators is a crucial step along this path. The work of Mr Tanner, Ms Sheed and Dr Emonson will help move Moira Shire forward.”
The panel of Administrators will work to ensure good governance is restored so that council services are delivered effectively, the health and wellbeing of council staff is prioritised, and the community is better involved and represented.
For more information about the panel of Administrators and its terms of reference go to localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance/independent-reports.