Arabic version: إعادة أعضاء مجلس هيبورن إلى مناصبهم بعد إسقاط التهم

According to ABC News, all criminal charges against five Hepburn Shire councillors and chief executive Bradley Thomas have been dropped after the Director of Public Prosecutions intervened in the Ballarat Magistrate’s Court. The council confirmed the councillors would be reinstated to their roles immediately.

Hepburn businessman David Penman laid the charges last month in a private prosecution. Mayor Tony Clark and councillors Don Henderson, Shirley Cornish, Pat Hockey and Lesley Hewitt had been charged with misuse of public office offences alongside Mr Thomas. Under the Local Government Act, the five councillors were required to stand down while the matters were before the court.

The DPP took over the prosecution and successfully applied for the charges to be thrown out. Hepburn Shire said the DPP, after reviewing the evidence, had determined there were insufficient grounds to proceed. Speaking outside court, Mr Clark said the councillors were extremely pleased with the outcome. Mr Penman said he accepted the DPP’s decision, although he had been surprised by the intervention.

The proceedings had disrupted the council’s operations and prompted the state government to announce last week that an administrator would need to be appointed. The government also confirmed that legislation to close the loophole used in the case was being considered by parliament. Rural Councils Victoria urged the Victorian government to change the law, saying the episode had disrupted local representation and the council’s functioning.

Arguments over legal costs will continue. Hepburn Shire Council, witnesses, Mr Thomas and each councillor are seeking for Mr Penman to pay costs incurred during the case. Magistrate Patrick Southey said at least a day would be needed for representatives to quantify the amounts sought. All parties are due to return to court in late August.