Questions for Vonette Mead

The following email was sent to Liberal Party candidate for Braddon Vonette Mead, currently Deputy-Mayor of Latrobe Council, on Tuesday 20 February to both her personal and Liberal Party email addresses. The subject line was ‘URGENT – media questions for on-the-record response by Vonette Mead candidate for Braddon’. She was given 48 hours to respond and has not responded. We therefore publish our questions as is and the invitation for her to set the record straight on these matters remains open.

Questions for Vonette Mead

We congratulate you on your candidacy for the forthcoming House of Assembly election and wish you well in your campaign.
In order to set the public record straight on certain matters we cordially request your answers to the following questions as set out below. Length of answers is not an issue and your written answers can be sent by email to this address. You may also attach any relevant photographs or documents as required if you refer to them in your answers.
Given the fast-paced campaign we request your answers by close of business (5pm) on Thursday 22 February so we may commence work on our article.

1) As a member of the Latrobe Council and Committee of the Port Sorell Caravan Park Committee for some years now: Did you formally declare a conflict of interest prior to being appointed to this committee? If not, when did you declare your multiple conflicts on this committee?

2) Did you disqualify yourself from the entire process as tenderer of the redevelopment of the Port Sorell Caravan Park?

3) Can you explain how MeadCon, the construction company of which you have part ownership, won the first stage tender of the Port Sorell Caravan Park redevelopment project with the lowest bid while you were on Port Sorell Caravan Park committee?

4) Did MeadCon win any other tenders while you were on the Port Sorell Caravan Park Committee?

5) Did you declare a conflict of interest that you have a family association with/are the administrator of a residential property that has boundaries onto the Port Sorell Caravan Park?

6) The tender process for Camp Banksia Redevelopment was conducted several years ago. Is it true that you stated to the council and others (public and private) that MeadCon was not tendering for the Camp Banksia redevelopment?

7) Could you please explain why MeadCon then placed the lowest tender in at the last minute for the Camp Banksia redevelopment?

8) Why, after advice, did MeadCon then withdraw said tender?

9) Can you confirm that you had/have knowledge that the Latrobe Council Mayor is quoted in The Advocate newspaper saying that “MeadCon is Latrobe Council’s preferred construction contractor”?

10) Can you confirm that political campaign (including local government) materials have been approved on your behalf by a R.
Rockliff?

11) At the Latrobe Council Meeting of 15 January 2024 you voted for the Motion to establish a Rick Rockliff memorial on the Bass Highway. Could you please explain why you did not abstain when clearly it is a conflict of interest by family connection, ie. your uncle Rick Rockliff? Is this the same R. Rockliff who authorised political materials for you?

12) Understanding that you have just stepped down from representing Latrobe Council on the Dulverton Waste Management Committee: Is it true MeadCon received payment to dispose contaminated soil/materials at Dulverton Waste Station from the Devonport High School construction project?

13) Did the Environmental Protection Agency give MeadCon permission to dump the said contaminated waste soil/materials from the Devonport High school build site onto your farm in Sassafras?

14) Have you received notice from the Tasmanian Integrity Commission regarding an investigation that may involve yourself?

Thank you,
Politics Editor

Featured image above sourced from Vonette for Latrobe area Facebook page.