A SECRET investigation into how David Cushway’s resume was leaked to the media by an insider at Armidale Dumaresq Council has failed to find the culprit.
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UNE’s former chief operating officer applied for Council’s top job in July last year, but was pipped at the post by incumbent Glenn Wilcox.
Recruitment agency Local Government Management Solutions was paid $15,000 to find a replacement for Shane Burns after he left amid acrimonious circumstances in February last year.
Mr Cushway’s application, which failed to make the shortlist, was the only one leaked to media outlets, including The Express.
He complained to Council, sparking a code-of-conduct investigation.
Sydney-based consultants IAB grilled councillors and staff over the leak but were unable to find the source, effectively recommending no further action.
Yesterday, Mr Cushway expressed his disappointment.
“I still have great concerns that private information held by a government agency was leaked to the press,” Mr Cushway said.
“I spoke to Council when it originally happened and I also cooperated fully when I was approached by investigators.” The matter formed one of two code-of-conduct recommendations privately debated by councillors at Monday’s meeting. The other upheld a complaint of bullying and harassment by Mayor Laurie Bishop.
That inquiry, also conducted by IAB consultants, took a year to complete and cost ratepayers $30,770.
Councillors determined the Mayor must be counselled over his behaviour, with deputy Mayor Herman Beyersdorf indicating it would be provided externally.
