NSW Freedom of Information has today received a letter from an alleged Senior Executive of the Office of Local Government, returning nothing but resounding laughter.

The sender email address states OLG BS Office of Local Government Mailbox.
The letter responded to (2) two formal complaints concerning Goulburn-Mulwaree Council and Port Stephens Council, both documented to using public monies for personal use in order to engage external legal teams for the purpose of threatening defamation action against this Site’s Administrator Telina Webb.

The threats were in response to a number of publications on this Site www.nswfreedomofinformation.net which were founded on the Councils’ own evidentiary documentation and actions.

Port Stephens Council had expressed concerns some people might think less of Council staff Tony Leslie Wickham and Lisa Helene Marshall, with Goulburn-Mulwaree claiming the feelings of Maria Timothy and Amanda Keegan had been hurt……………….

Those threats of defamation were earlier reported on this Site here and here, with Telina Webb’s ensuing correspondence linked on the respective pages.
It seems both agencies managed to plead reliance for their actions on the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, with the agencies claiming their right to spend public monies for personal use as a ‘….statutory duty to ensure the health and safety of employees.’

“I’m not sure whether or not this is a serious letter, given it’s been issued by the OLG ‘BS’ department.  But one thing’s for sure, using public monies for personal use is offensive to the public of NSW no matter how you paint the picture or the degree of comedy you throw at it.

My experience of the complete lack of action and bias exercised by the OLG to the public’s detriment was typified in 2014 when (4) four volumes of Port Stephens Council misconduct was chronologically presented to the OLG, and an officer disclosed not one page had been read, "and not one single Post-It Note had been placed, and even if you did lodge a GIPA we wouldn't give you anything anyway".  Charming!

That’s what the public can expect when we report Council misconduct, unlawful conduct, corrupt conduct, inclusive of using positions within governance to access public monies for personal use.  Yes, Mr Wickham and Ms Timothy head their respective governance sections so I guess this is what the public should expect from Council Corporate Police Officers.  I did believe at one time such behaviours were isolated to one agency, but clearly that’s not the case.  It’s a load of BS if you ask me,” stated Telina Webb.
The OLG ‘BS’ document of 12th August 2024 is available here.
Contact:

Brett WhitworthDeputy Secretary, Local GovernmentOffice of Local Government‘BS’ Department(02) 4428 4100