KINGSTON’S mayor says that council does not require a state government-appointed municipal monitor to effectively function. The municipal monitor appointed to oversee Kingston Council began his tenure on 25 August. State government-appointed monitors will be at the council until at least 31 December.
As the monitor’s work began, Kingston mayor Georgina Oxley issued a statement defending the conduct of the council. She said, “I am proud of the work the newly elected council and our council officers are doing to serve Kingston, and I remain firmly of the view that we are capable of fulfilling our duties without state government intervention.”
“As a three-term councillor and three-term mayor, I have every confidence in the strength of our newly elected council, our CEO, and our leadership team. We have been working diligently to ensure good governance, transparency, and responsible decision-making for our community,” she said.
“We will cooperate fully with the monitors and see their appointment as an opportunity to demonstrate to the community, and to government, the strong leadership and integrity that already exists within this council, as well as our strong governance processes and practices. I am committed to ensuring Kingston Council is not and will never be an organisation that is beholden to political pressure or political interests. The strength of our democracy is rooted in open and robust debate as well as grassroots representation.”
“I’ve received a lot of contact from residents, concerned that our strong advocacy on key issues impacting our community will cease. Our priority has always been, and will continue to be, making decisions in the best interests of Kingston residents. This also includes ensuring that regardless of this state government intervention, strong advocacy remains on issues such as (but most certainly not limited to) Rossdale Golf Course, Kingswood Golf Course redevelopment, Suburban Rail Loop, Level Crossing Removal Works and the state planning reforms.”
The state government did not give a specific reason for the appointment of monitors when it made its announcement. Local government minister Nick Staikos said, “Victorians expect their councils to maintain a high standard of processes and practices, and these monitors will help the council best serve the Kingston community.”
Libertarian Party MP David Limbrick spoke out about the matter in Parliament last week. He said, “Kingston Council was informed by the Victorian government last week that it had appointed a municipal monitor. From what I have seen reported on the council website and in the media, it is not entirely clear what has prompted this move. There have not been any reports of serious governance issues, corrupt conduct or substantial dysfunction.”
“If we are going to have democratic local representation, then it is important that it is actually democratic, which means that people will disagree. Democracy demands robust debate, and it is not clear that anything more than this has happened in Kingston. Residents of Kingston deserve an explanation.”
The Times asked local government minister Nick Staikos why monitors were appointed. He said, “Kingston residents deserve a council that serves its needs – the monitors will work with the council to improve its governance and represent the interests of the community.”
“They will assist Kingston City Council in addressing concerns around governance processes and practices, in relation to health and safety, meeting procedures and decision-making processes, and management of conflicts of interest,” he said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 3 September 2025