Dunedin City Council has today suspended Councillor Benedict Ong from its committees and subcommittees for a period of nine months after considering and accepting the findings of a Code of Conduct report by independent investigator, Steph Dyhrberg.
The Council said Councillor Ong (pictured) was welcome to participate in full in today’s process, but declined to do so.
“He was also provided with a hard copy of the investigator’s report ahead of the meeting in order to help him prepare and participate fully,” Mayor, Sophie Barker said in a statement.
“It’s extremely disappointing that Councillor Ong continues to conduct himself in this way, and to misrepresent the nature of the arrangements that are in place.”
“While he is now barred from participating in Committees and Subcommittees, I need to be very clear that this does not prevent him from attending and participating in full Council meetings, whether they are held in public or non-public. Any statement to the contrary misrepresents what has been decided today.”
The conduct breach related to Councillor Ong disclosing commercially sensitive information relating to a hotel development proposal in the city.
The Mayor said it was “hugely frustrating” that Councillor Ong’s behaviour was “distracting from the great work that is underway in the city”.
“I would once again urge Councillor Ong to review his recent conduct and to live up to the oath he swore upon becoming a Councillor, or to consider resigning,” she stated.
