General News
20 November, 2024
Secrecy continues on CEO’s departure
SECRECY surrounding the circumstances under which Tablelands Regional Council’s top bureaucrat departed from the organisation is continuing.
Council held two “special” meetings behind closed doors in a nine-day period to discuss Gary Rinehart’s departure and what, if any, payout he may receive.
Both meetings have resulted in intentionally vague resolutions that fail to tell the community why the senior manager left the organisation, with a media release sent out using the phrase “concluded his term” instead of revealing whether he resigned, was asked to resign, or was terminated.
The resolutions also fail to reveal any monetary arrangement that may be being considered as a result of his departure.
It is understood Mr Rinehart still had nine months to go on his contract when council staff were suddenly emailed the news on 11 October that he had “concluded his term”.
“Gary’s working knowledge of local government, including the Local Government Act, is first class and his considered decision-making was a hallmark of his tenure. His steady, measured style helped progress TRC’s vision and maturity as an organisation. We thank him for that and wish him well in the future,” Mayor Rod Marti wrote in the email.
The Express immediately contacted TRC on 11 October but was provided no information until five days later, which simply echoed the phrase that Mr Rinehart had “concluded his term”.
The Express has since sent questions to Mayor Marti to try to find out on ratepayers’ behalf what the circumstances were around the CEO’s departure.
When questioned as to whether a payout was in play, Mayor Marti responded in an email that: “As per the minutes, Councillors have resolved to delegate authority to the Mayor to negotiate, finalise and execute all documents necessary.”
Asked whether Mr Rinehart had left of his volition or whether council had asked him to leave, Mayor Marti replied: “That is not correct and such agreements between the parties are always confidential.”
Asked whether ratepayers deserved to know the circumstances given ratepayer funds would be involved with any monetary agreement, Mayor Marti said: “The former CEO’s term (period) of employment with TRC has concluded, and TRC is meeting its contractual obligations regarding confidentiality.”
At a meeting held behind closed doors on 29 October, a resolution that gave absolutely no details of was carried unanimously: “That Council: (1.) Notes the legal advice provided to council regarding confidential agenda item 6.1; and (2.) Pursuant to section 257(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2009, delegates authority to the Mayor to negotiate, finalise and execute all documents necessary.”
At the meeting held on 7 November, a similarly vague resolution was passed by five of the councillors (Crs Cardew and Haydon against) that again provided no information to ratepayers: “That Council: (1.) Note the report and the legal advice given to council; and (2.) Pursuant to section 257(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2009, delegate authority to the Mayor to take all the steps necessary in relation to the matter as determined by council during the closed session.”
Former councillor David Clifton says the whole situation is “concerning”.
“That Tablelands Regional Council is recruiting its third CEO in four years is very concerning,” he said.
“The community is still in the dark about what actually happened to prompt Mr Rinehart’s decision and whether he resigned or was ‘pushed’ like the previous two incumbents.
“The required secrecy surrounding two confidential TRC Special meetings has not helped the situation and, without breaching necessary confidential obligations, the Mayor should make a clear statement to the TRC community.
“The CEO is probably the highest paid public servant on the Tablelands whose salary is paid by the people. It is reasonable to ask for a fuller explanation as to why there appears to be a revolving door situation for this very important role.”
