Chapman matter shows reform is needed: Cox

UPDATE 5.38pm: The state's Local Government Minister says Cr Elise Chapman's decision not to apologise after being found guilty of miscionduct by an independent panel is disappointing.

Natalie Hutchins has also backed calls by Bendigo mayor Peter Cox for a reform of councillor code of conduct panels.

Ms Hutchins said Ms Chapman's behaviour was very disappointing.

"Not only did she behave entirely inappropriately in the first instance, she has chosen to disregard the findings of an independent conduct panel," she said.

"We want to see councils and councillors that are accountable and responsive to their local communities."

"This example reflects what councils and their peak bodies have been telling me - the current systems in place for managing councillor standards aren't working, and they need to change."

The state's peak local government body, the Municipal Association of Victoria, says it is satisfied due process was followed in the misconduct finding.

City of Bendigo councillor Rod Fyffe, who is a MAV board member, said he was comfortable with the panel decision, but understood Cr Chapman's right to appeal.

"The process is there for us to follow and that is what we have done," he said

"It's been a good decision - everyone's had their say.

"But as part of the process, people can appeal."

EARLIER, Councillor Code of Conduct panels are one of a range of local government issues that are in desperate need of reform, Bendigo mayor Peter Cox says.

City of Greater Bendigo Councillor Elise Chapman will appeal a ruling from a conduct panel that she apologise for a tweet she sent to a mosque supporter – a move that has “disappointed” Cr Cox and six of his colleagues.

The panel made a ruling of misconduct against Cr Chapman, but she told last night’s council meeting that she has lodged a review of the decision with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

She refused to make the apology at the meeting.

Cr Cox said seven of the nine councillors – including himself – were disappointed with her decision.

“I’m very satisfied with the process. I’m very disappointed that she’s decided to appeal the decision,” he said.

“Again, it’s another issue that takes us away from the really important day to day issues of building and progressing Bendigo.”

The conduct panel found Cr Chapman should be reprimanded and make an “unreserved apology” after she breached clauses around courtesy and respect.

The tweet included a picture of young girls with mutilated genitals after a mosque supporter had engaged with her on Twitter.

Cr Cox said the conduct panels are becoming an issue for almost half of Victoria’s councils, and they needed reforming.

“I’d be the first to say that local government needs reform – the behaviour of Councillor Conduct Panels are among a whole range of other issues,” he said.

“These conduct panels are not only happening in Bendigo. Apparently 40 per cent of local governments throughout Victoria have had them.

“Local government, along with the state government, needs to have a good look and reform local government so it can perform better.”

Cr Cox made the comments during a press conference on VCAT’s decision to dismiss an appeal of the approval of the Bendigo mosque.

He said both situations had been an unwelcome distraction for council.