Code of conduct panel adjournment for Cr Ben Buckley

East Gippsland Shire councillor Ben Buckley appeared before a conduct panel in Bairnsdale on 5 June 2017 after an investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate.

The Councillor Conduct panel into charges of serious misconduct by Cr Buckley was adjourned on this day.

The panel hearing at the East Gippsland Shire Council offices in Bairnsdale was part-heard, with several witnesses appearing before the adjournment.

Parties to the hearing now have to provide further submissions by 30 June and the Principal Councillor Conduct Registrar will advise the outcome at a later date.

Enquires relating to the conduct panel process should be directed to the Principal Councillor Conduct Registrar at Local Government Victoria (part of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning).

The Inspectorate completed an investigation into the release of confidential council information by Cr Buckley in February. The 3 allegations by a member of the public were found to have basis and an application was made for a Councillor Conduct Panel to make 3 findings of serious misconduct against Cr Buckley.