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Explosive Evidence in Liverpool Council Inquiry: Alleged Donation to Chief Executive's Election Campaign

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The public inquiry into the alleged dysfunction and maladministration at the Liverpool Council has uncovered explosive evidence of a $2000 donation to the election campaign of the council's current chief executive, Jason Breton, allegedly solicited by the council's Liberal mayor, Ned Mannoun. According to the inquiry, the donation was made by a property developer, Joseph Cannavo of Icon Property Investments Pty Ltd, on the request of Mayor Mannoun in 2021.

Key Takeaways:

  • The inquiry has heard that Jason Breton, the council's chief executive, was allegedly solicited for a $2000 donation by Mayor Ned Mannoun to fund his election campaign in the 2021 local government poll.
  • The donation was made by Joseph Cannavo of Icon Property Investments Pty Ltd, a property developer who had a dispute with the council.
  • Breton denied being aware of the donation and claimed he had no recollection of the $1000 transfer into his bank account.
  • Breton also denied being aware of a "dummy ticket" strategy devised to funnel votes to Liberal Party candidates.
  • Breton claimed he was naive and unaware of the concept of a "dummy group" of independent candidates, and "had no idea what I was doing" in the campaign.
  • The inquiry has also heard that Breton considered himself an "absolute novice" when he was encouraged to run as an independent candidate in Liverpool's south ward in the 2021 local council elections.

Statistics:

  • $2000: the alleged donation made to Jason Breton's election campaign by Joseph Cannavo of Icon Property Investments Pty Ltd.
  • $1000: the amount of the donation allegedly transferred into Breton's bank account.
  • 2021: the year in which the donation was allegedly made.
  • 2022: the year in which Breton started his role as director of operations at the council.
  • April 2024: the month in which Breton was formally appointed as the permanent CEO of the council.

Sources:

  • "Liverpool Council inquiry hears chief executive Jason Breton 'don't know' who paid $1000 to fund his election campaign" - The Sydney Morning Herald, 2023.
  • "Liverpool Council inquiry: Mayor Ned Mannoun yet to give evidence" - The Sydney Morning Herald, 2023.

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