Adelaide City Councillor Mary Couros is set to issue a public apology at Tuesday’s council meeting after an Ombudsman investigation found she attempted to influence an agenda item in which she had a conflict of interest.
The investigation, led by SA Ombudsman Emily Strickland, followed a report lodged on June 7, 2024, concerning a May 28 council meeting about proposed upgrades to Lombard Street, North Adelaide, including new public toilet facilities.
Cr Couros had declared a material conflict of interest because her partner is a shareholder in the nearby restaurant Tony Tomatoes, and she left the chamber before the item was discussed.
However, Ms Strickland found that after leaving, Cr Couros sent text messages to Councillor Henry Davis, who remained in the chamber, during the discussion.
Ms Strickland said Cr Couros’ behaviour represented “an intentional and serious breach of the integrity provisions of the Local Government Act,” noting that she had sought to influence the debate through another councillor.
In her response, Cr Couros maintained that she was not within hearing distance of the chamber and believed her actions did not breach the Act, but said she accepted the Ombudsman’s findings.
“I informed Councillor Davis by text where the closest toilets are because council-built toilets are very expensive and I thought that would be a useful and unbiased fact,” she told The Advertiser.
“I didn’t consider it wrongful at the time, and I understand and accept the Ombudsman’s position.”
The Ombudsman recommended that the council reprimand Cr Couros, require her to undertake training, and ensure she publicly apologises, with a report on compliance due to be submitted by mid-December.
Source: The Advertiser.
