Cumberland Councillor and former Mayor Steve Christou has hit back over claims he misused Council facilities and brought Council into disrepute.
Cr Christou has responded to allegations that a leaked document found he wrongfully used a Council boardroom to discuss a project with the Afghan community.
A story, published by Parramatta Advertiser, said during the closed session of the most recent Council meeting that the Council agreed to “formally censure the Granville Ward Councillor for breaching a string of rules under its code of conduct”.
It was reported that a “secret document” viewed by the publisher found that Cr Christou held a meeting in the General Manager’s boardroom at the Council’s headquarters at 16 Memorial Avenue on November 30, 2021, for his election campaign to discuss the ongoing Afghan Town project.
It alleges that the use of the facility was a breach of conduct by Cr Christou as Council resources were used when it was in caretaker mode.
The story then stated the Council document allegedly said Cr Christou claimed the meeting in the boardroom was “legitimate Council business” because it was held to discuss an ongoing project.
“This morning a story first appeared in the Parramatta Advertiser online which consisted of a sensitive document which was illegally leaked from a highly confidential report,” Cr Christou said.
“Unfortunately, as the document raised is confidential and privileged in nature Local Government Regulations restrict me from publicly disclosing details of what was discussed.
“I can state however that the story is factually incorrect and defamatory. I have engaged my legal team and actions have now proceeded to remedy this situation.”
The story revealed the Council agreed the matter would be referred to the Office of Local Government (OLG).
Proven code of conduct breaches could result in the OLG suspending the right to receive any fee or other remuneration they would otherwise be entitled to, as well as suspending them from civic office.
However, Cr Christou stated that he is not in danger of losing his job as a Cumberland Councillor.
“The fact that Councils voting pattern is published even with the detail of the Mayor’s casting vote is concerning and telling of the politically motivated nature behind these complaints,” he said.
“I am proud of my previous hard work with the Afghan community and that my office was always available to the local community as Mayor and in my current role as a Councillor.”
Cr Christou then accused other politicians of being lazy and focusing on smear campaigns against him.
“Whilst some other lazy politicians are focused on smear campaigns and offer no benefit to their community I will continue to work hard and achieve outcomes for our local community,” he said.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.