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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Michael Parris

Cessnock councillor faces fifth code-of-conduct censure motion in 18 months

Ian Olsen says people have taken offence to his comments on social media but he is the victim of a political vendetta.

Cessnock councillor Ian Olsen is facing his fifth code-of-conduct censure in 18 months over undisclosed comments he made on social media and in meetings.

The independent councillor wrote on Facebook on Sunday that each of the alleged code-of-conduct breaches had cost about $35,000 to investigate.

"I know most complaints are people being offended by my Facebook or comments in meetings," the 2021 mayoral candidate wrote.

"Funny thing is every complaint is kept confidential so you don't know what I did or why someone is offended."

Cr Olsen told the Newcastle Herald on Monday that he was the victim of a "vendetta" by his political opponents.

"It's a form of bullying and harassment to shut me down because I've got different opinions to what the majority have," he said.

His Cessnock councillor Facebook page includes criticism of mayor Jay Suvaal and the council's general manager and planning director.

In February he re-posted an email exchange with a council employee because "a staff member could still read his name so I have blacked it out a bit more".

"Hopefully they aren't offended now. I don't want staff to be upset," he wrote.

It is not clear if the latest code-of-conduct complaint relates to any of these posts.

Cr Olsen's Facebook page also includes community news, memes promoting free speech and plugs for his son's real estate business.

The council will move into confidential session on Wednesday to consider an investigator's report into the latest complaint.

The meeting agenda says the investigation report includes a "recommendation for formal censure", which would be Cr Olsen's fifth since the 2021 election.

The censure motions are largely symbolic as the council does not have the power to suspend or otherwise penalise a councillor, but each has been passed on to the Office of Local Government for potential investigation.

The OLG has not taken action in relation to Cr Olsen's previous censures.

All councillors are forbidden from discussing the details of code-of-conduct matters or investigations under the state's local government model code of conduct.

Cr Suvaal said independent reviewers investigated code-of-conduct complaints to "ensure procedural fairness for all parties" and to avoid political interference.

"The outcome and resolution of council will be reported publicly during the council meeting," he said.


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