Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Inquiry finds no widespread failures at Liverpool City Council
A NSW inquiry found no widespread or systemic failures at Liverpool City Council, in south-west Sydney.
The investigation examined councillors’ conduct and the council’s finances, property purchases and state grants worth more than $150 million.
The inquiry cost taxpayers at least $4 million and followed allegations described by Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig as the worst he had seen against a council.
Its findings may put pressure on Hoenig and the NSW government, which had considered suspending councillors and delaying the council election.
Commissioner Ross Glover found that Mayor Ned Mannoun and councillor Peter Ristevski had a fractured relationship, but said they were open to mediation.
He recommended mediation, councillor training and recording some closed meetings.
The council was also asked to improve how it handles conflicts of interest and respectful debate, but the report did not set a deadline for these changes.
A public inquiry found no evidence of widespread or systemic failures at Liverpool City Council.
Commissioner Ross Glover recommended minor changes after examining councillors’ conduct and the council’s finances, property purchases and state infrastructure grants.
The inquiry’s findings may put pressure on NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig, who had described the allegations as “the worst” he had seen levelled at a council.
Opposition spokesman Chris Rath accused Hoenig of withholding the final report because it did not recommend putting the council into administration.
The report recommended mediation between Mayor Ned Mannoun and councillor Peter Ristevski, along with training for councillors and recording some closed-session meetings.
- Who
- The NSW Office of Local Government inquiry, led by Commissioner Ross Glover, examined Liverpool City Council and its governing body.
- What
- It found no evidence of widespread or systemic failures and recommended minor changes.
- When
- The final report was published on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Glover handed it to the minister in September.
- Where
- Liverpool City Council in south-west Sydney, New South Wales.
- Why
- The inquiry examined allegations of maladministration and dysfunction, including councillor conduct and the council’s handling of finances, property purchases and state grants.
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig
Opposition Local Government spokesman Chris Rath
Assessment of allegations
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig
Hoenig described the accusations against the council as “the worst” he had seen levelled at a council.
Opposition Local Government spokesman Chris Rath
Rath said the government had run a campaign to get the council sacked.
Handling of report
NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig
Hoenig received the final report in September; the article reports no response from him to the findings.
Opposition Local Government spokesman Chris Rath
Rath accused Hoenig of deliberately sitting on the report because it did not recommend administration.
An interim report triggered the inquiry, and Hoenig signalled his intent to suspend councillors and tried to postpone that year’s election.
The inquiry held a 52-day hearing examining the council and its operations.
Glover handed the final report to Hoenig.
The 518-page final report was published.
- Inquiry cost
- At least $4 million
- Final report
- 518 pages
- Hearing
- 52 days
- State infrastructure grants examined
- More than $150 million
- Acting or permanent chief executive officers
- 10 in eight years
What people are saying
the evidence does not satisfy me that there have been widespread or systemic failures by the governing body or the council in the performance of their statutory functions
Whether it will result in any meaningful and lasting change, however, is ultimately up to them.
This is a massive blow to the Minns Labor government who have run a nasty campaign for three years to get the council sacked