Over the past several months an external Code of Conduct investigation was undertaken into complaints about my conduct as a Councillor with Glen Innes Severn Council. I believe the community deserves the full picture regarding the Code of Conduct investigation into my time as a Councillor.
Over many months, an external investigator was engaged by the Glen Innes Council to review council meetings, internal emails and my social media commentary during a period where I was openly challenging council leadership, financial management and the proposed Special Rate Variation.
The result?
After all that time, expense and effort, the recommendation was that “no further action be taken”.
No suspension.
No disqualification.
No referral.
No penalty.
The matter should have been closed yet, this council under a cloud of conspiracy and corruption decided to refer the matter to the office of local government and release press statements on the matter.
What concerns me is not robust scrutiny, I welcome that, but the scale and timing of the process. It is my firm belief that the intensity of this investigation was disproportionate to the language used and had the practical effect of sidelining a dissenting voice ahead of an election cycle. The community can form its own view on that.
The report criticises phrases such as:
• “Who are we trying to protect?”
• “What are we trying to hide?”
• “Our council is in turmoil because of your lack of leadership.”
• “Cowards”
These were political criticisms made during debate about governance, transparency and financial accountability. Questioning leadership decisions is not misconduct, it is part of the role of an elected representative.
A significant part of the complaint relates to my repeated requests for access to the draft “Capacity to Pay” report during the Special Rate Variation process.
For clarity:
– I asked for the original draft report.
– I was told it would not be provided
– I asked again.
– I was told it was “not the practice” to release drafts.
– I maintained that as a Councillor, I had the right to request documentation relevant to a 68.5% proposed rate rise affecting our community.
– I indicated that, if necessary, I would pursue access through formal channels.
For making those requests, after reviewing council reports, attending workshops, reviewing community consultation and scrutinising the report and timing of its release, I stated.
“I do not believe there was a draft. It is my contention you have misled this council and the Public”
I was accused of harassment and bullying.
I stand by the principle that Councillors are entitled to scrutinise financial documents underpinning major rate increases. Requesting transparency is not intimidation. Seeking documentation is not misconduct.
I also wish to address a serious procedural issue. Contrary to the implication in the report, I was not notified in July 2025 to rightfully give a meaningful respond before conclusions were drawn. The report states I “did not respond,” yet I was not even contacted.
This procedural inadequacy was only addressed after the report and findings had been tabled. The report wasn’t withdrawn, the allegation wasn’t reinvestigated, I was found guilty and then asked to respond to a document months in the making in a short 2-week period in early January of 2026. I was asked to respond with no information at hand, no access to emails or correspondence from my councillor email and, during a period where our own council was closed for business.
The community should understand that this entire process revolved around tone and language during political disagreement, not corruption, not dishonesty, not financial misconduct.
After months of investigation, the outcome was that “no further action be taken”.
I have always been direct. I have always been outspoken. I have consistently raised concerns about transparency, financial management and governance decisions that impact ratepayers.
Healthy democracy requires scrutiny. It requires strong debate. It requires elected representatives willing to ask uncomfortable questions.
I will continue to believe that transparency and accountability matter, regardless of how uncomfortable that may be for some.
Statement – Troy Arandale former Councillor Glen Innes Severn Council Facebook Page
