The Otago Daily Times yesterday asked the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and Local Government Minster Simon Watts about Cr Ong and concerns raised by Dunedin City Council chief executive Sandy Graham and Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker regarding his repeated leaking of confidential information.
On Monday, behind closed doors, councillors will consider a report on an alleged code of conduct breach by Cr Ong.
A DIA spokesperson said officials were ‘‘aware of the situation’’ and would update the minister as required.
‘‘The mayor and chief executive of the council have discussed this matter with officials, as part of the regular catch-ups between councils and the department,’’ the spokesperson said.
‘‘The department is unable to provide any substantive advice or direction to the council on these matters. The council should continue to follow their current code of conduct processes.’’
Ultimately, the council was responsible for ensuring the appropriate processes were followed, councillors were democratically accountable to their communities and voters made decisions about who should represent them, the spokesperson said.
When asked what had been discussed, a council spokesman said it had no comment. Ms Barker did not reply.
On Thursday, the council spokesman told the ODT it would no longer comment on Cr Ong, as it ‘‘only encourages him to continue his appalling behaviour’’.
Cr Ong questioned why ‘‘appalling’’ was attributed to the spokesman, ‘‘as though this is the official view of the council and our city?’’.
‘‘This is in violation of the need for council operating staff to avoid any political biases.’’
Asked yesterday if the comment was the view of the organisation, the spokesman said the council had ‘‘incorrectly attributed’’ it. The comment should have been attributed to Ms Barker, he said.
Neither the council nor Ms Barker answered questions on how the error occurred.
They did not say if staff would be apologising to Cr Ong.
Last week, Cr Ong was told he could no longer attend closed workshops and he would have restricted access to confidential papers. He could not take them away, nor photograph them.
Ms Graham put the measures in place after Cr Ong repeatedly shared confidential material with media.
This included commercially sensitive information and details of the investigation he is facing regarding disclosure of confidential information.
Councillors will consider investigator Steph Dyhrberg’s report on the matter on Monday.
The meeting’s agenda said the matter would be dealt with in non-public because of commercial sensitivity.
The ODT asked the council if Cr Ong had the right to receive a copy of the report about him, take it away and study the contents.
Its spokesman said natural justice requirements were being met.
In a draft preliminary report, leaked to media by Cr Ong last week, Ms Dyhrberg said his actions could be a serious breach of the standard of behaviour expected of elected representatives.
