THE Local Government Standards Panel has found Mundaring Councillor Doug Jeans breached 7 (1) (a) of the Local Government (Rules of Conduct) regulations 2007 on December 2, 2016 when accompanying, supporting and observing a Shire resident as she took photographs of Shire documents without the Shire’s knowledge.
The Shire made a decision under the Freedom of Information Act (1992) WA that the resident could view the documents but not have copies of them (the FOI decision).
The panel found that by supporting the resident in this way, knowing that the Shire has made the FOI, Cr Jeans made improper use of his office as a councillor with the intention of gaining advantage for the resident. The panel censored Cr Jeans for the breach.
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READ NOWThe Central Ward councillor, who lives in Hovea, declined to comment on the panel’s findings.
Cr Jeans can appeal the decision at a State Administrative Tribunal.
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