Mandurah councillors use meeting to blast Canning MHR Andrew Hastie over drug trial Facebook throw down

CITY of Mandurah councillors are standing unanimously behind their chief executive Mark Newman following a recent Facebook attack on him by Canning MHR Andrew Hastie.

Mr Newman had been asked by councillors to write to relevant parties about a decision to choose Mandurah as one of three areas for a two year drug testing trial.

One of the responses was leaked to Mr Hastie who then attacked Mr Newman.

Cr Fred Reibeling told last night’s council meeting the attack on a senior bureaucrat was disgraceful.

“Damage has been done to Mr Newman because of something the council directed him to do and it cannot be allowed to fester,” he said.

“Mr Hastie should have known better than to attack him.

“Mr Newman’s behaviour has been exemplary – if it was me I would have been all over the press and responded immediately.

“I cannot believe Mr Hastie would do this.

“It is not his role to attack the credibility of the chief executive and it is our role to support him.”

Cr Shannon Lawson agreed and did not believe Mr Hastie’s actions were appropriate.

“The council must stand behind its chief executive,” she said.

“We are the ones who asked him to do the job and it quite disgusting that Mr Hastie took this action just before the council elections.”

Local Government Minister David Templeman said it was an unfair attack on a chief executive who was simply doing his job as directed by his councillors.

“I hope a more respectful relationship can be forged between the Federal member and the council,” he said.

“Its all about working together.”

Canning MHR Andrew Hastie said he saw the condemnation as a badge of honour.

“It proves that the Council takes its orders from the Labor Party,” he said.

“That’s why they oppose the Centrelink drug testing trial, yet at the same time drug test City of Mandurah employees.”

I make no apologies for fighting for a program that keeps taxpayers money out of the hands of drug dealers.’