Veteran Campbelltown councillor Fred Borg is also the founder and chairman of the successful charity 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer.
But wearing the two hats has resulted in him being investigated by the NSW Office of Local Government for a possible breach of the conflict of interest regulations for elected officials.
The Office of Local Government is looking into a complaint that at a meeting of Campbelltown Council on July 19 Cr Borg may have breached the rules of conduct for elected officials relating to conflict of interest.
An unnamed councillor has filed a complaint that Cr Borg incorrectly claimed a non significant conflict of interest, took part in the debate and voted on a move to reduce the council sponsorship of the charity.
The bid to reduce council’s sponsorship of 24 Hour was defeated 8-7.
The Office of Local Government does not discuss individual cases but its website includes the code of conduct regulations applying to elected officials. It says in part:
“As a general rule, a non-pecuniary conflict of interest will be significant where a matter does not raise a pecuniary interest but it involves an affiliation between the council official [councillor] and an organisation, sporting body, club, corporation or association that is particularly strong.’’
Cr Borg told the Voice in Macarthur yesterday that he was not aware that a complaint has been lodged against him with the NSW Office of Local Government.
We asked Cr Borg what kind of advice had he received prior to the July 19 meeting and was it legal advice?
“I won’t disclose that,’’ Cr Borg said.
“I complied, I said that I believed [the conflict of interest] it was non significant and non pecuniary, however in this instance I believed I was entitled to stay and vote on the matter.
“I don’t make a cent from the Fight Against Cancer; if anything it probably costs me money.
“I’ve always believed that whatever is right I will fight to the death for and whoever it may be [behind the complaint] whether it be sour grapes or they were on the losing end the vote on the evening was won 8-7.
“If they wanted to they could have put in a rescission motion if they thought they could win it again the next time.
“I have nothing to fear.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“What I did was in the interests of the people of Campbelltown and the 24 Fight Against Cancer as I said on that night is not a sport, and neither will I turn it into a political dogfight.[/social_quote]
“If these people want to politicise something that is helping a lot of people in Campbelltown whatever the consequences I will have to grin and bear it.’’
The Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Hawker, declined to comment on the matter, while other councillors refused to go on the record with any criticism of Cr Borg.
“This is not about the 24 Hour charity or even about the money or Cr Borg getting a benefit, this is about the code of conduct rules and whether there may have been a breach,’’ one told the Voice.
“It’s all about transparency.’’
Cr Borg said whoever was behind lodging the complaint against him “must have some ulterior motive.
“I can’t understand it,’’ he said.
The Voice asked Cr Borg: Up until the July 19 meeting you had not previously participated in debate or voting when the 24 Hour application for council sponsorship came before council, this is the first time, is this what you will do in the future?
“Yep, because I believe now what I’m being advised that because I don’t benefit in any way whatsoever that I benefit a lot of other people I will now not leave the chamber.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“If the Office of Local Government deems that to be different I guess if I want to remain a councillor I will have to obey,’’ Cr Borg said.[/social_quote]
