In a modern-day equivalent of flaming torches and pitchforks, about 150 people attended a public meeting Monday evening, demanding accountability and fairness from the Launceston City Council.
Two weeks ago, the Council’s new General Manager, Mr Robert Dobrzynski, dismissed the Director of the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Mr Patrick Filmer-Sankey, on the basis that he allegedly ignored staff complaints of bullying and harassment.
Mr Filmer-Sankey has vigorously defended his position that he, senior city management, the human resources department, the Australian Services Union, and an external mediator tried for over a year to resolve the growing discontent within the Museum.
At Monday night’s public meeting, Mr Filmer-Sankey presented his side for the first time, including evidence of inappropriate Aldermanic involvement in fanning the flames of discontent, in breach of the Local Government Act as well as Codes of Conduct. A complaint submitted to the Local Government Ombudsman may be rejected on the technicality of being submitted after the six month limit under the statute of limitations.
Many questions and comments arose from the public, including one from a man unconnected with the Museum, who clarified that Natural Justice had been denied in this case, because the allegations against Mr Filmer-Sankey and another staff member were taken at face value from an “Investigation Report”, but had not yet gone through proper due process. A correlation was made with the Australian Wheat Board scandal (2005), wherein the investigation was used to prompt due process rather than to circumvent it, as has been done in Launceston.
“This isn’t just about me, this is about transparency, fairness, and the future of our museum, and I’m humbled to see so many come out to defend these principles,” Mr Filmer-Sankey said to the packed auditorium, receiving enthusiastic and extended applause.
In attendance at the meeting were Launceston’s Mayor, two Aldermen, and the General Manager. Numerous resolutions were passed, including one for immediate release of the Investigation Report, which has been denied to the accused. Another resolution was passed for Mr Filmer-Sankey to be reinstated while an independent investigation is taking place. In a strange twist of events, a motion to ensure that the Museum retains its directorship status, was seconded by the General Manager himself, who has previously stated his intent to reduce its status. All resolutions were passed unanimously, except for a single dissenting vote for the evening, from a staff member who was made redundant in 2007.
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