OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT

RESPONSE TO STONER MEDIA RELEASE TODAY THAT DEFENDS THE COUNCIL AND ATTEMPTS TO POLITICISE THE INQUIRY.

In light of today's media release from neighbouring MP, the National Party Leader Andrew Stoner, I attach Council's second - and as yet secret - submission, that was sent to the Minister for Local Government after the Mayor and General Manager met with both Mr Stoner and myself.

I am unaware which Councillors are aware of this second secret submission, and I am unaware as to why this has not been released to the public, like the first submission.

However, this second secret submission clearly indicates Mr Stoner has expressed the same concerns as myself to both the Mayor and General Manager regarding asset sales, section 94 contributions, and issues regarding the signing of the building contracts AFTER the State investigation began.

I therefore invite Mr Stoner to, in future, keep a consistent position on this matter in both public and private, so that the focus can be kept on issues of process rather than issues of politics.

In this case, Mr Stoner's contradictory political positioning has led to the release of this document, and the playing of politics by Mr Stoner has therefore raised more questions of process for both he and the Council to answer.

2 August 2007