Source: Radio New Zealand
Benedict Ong complained about the staff member to the council’s chief executive and two journalists. Supplied
A Dunedin City councillor was in serious breach of the council’s code of conduct when he publicly criticised a staff member, an independent investigator has found.
Benedict Ong sent an email complaining about the staff member’s performance to the council’s chief executive and two local journalists in February.
Dunedin councillors are set to consider possible sanctions for Ong at a meeting on 25 March, which could include a demand for a public apology or a vote of no confidence.
Ong will also be given a chance to defend himself.
The independent investigation led by barrister Steph Dyhrberg found that Ong’s actions could have been a deliberate attempt to retaliate against the staff member and discredit her.
“By disclosing the allegations to the media, Cr Ong breached the requirements to treat all employees with courtesy and respect and avoid publicly criticising any employee,” she said.
Councillor Ong had earlier filed his own code of conduct complaint against councillor John Chambers, saying he had made inappropriate remarks during a meeting.
An investigator reviewed the evidence, including a transcript of a phone call with a council staff member, and found that Ong’s version of events was not supported.
The complaint was dismissed because it lacked substance.
On 4 February Ong wrote to the chief executive and journalists accusing the council staff member of “apparent political bias” and a “lack of political neutrality”.
While he did not name the staff member, she was found to be “readily identifiable” to journalists.
Dyhrberg said Ong had already been put on notice several times about maintaining confidentiality.
“It is reasonable to infer Cr Ong knew what he was doing was inappropriate,” she said.
“No-one should be victimised or discredited for agreeing to participate in a code of conduct complaint process.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
