Conflicts of interest in Geelong

Geelong councillor Cameron Granger has faced court briefly over claims of failing to declare a conflict of interest and failing to leave the council chambers during a vote. Having traded in his former brown locks for a new strawberry-blond hairdo, Cr Granger appeared at Geelong Magistrates' Court yesterday for a contest mention.

The case was adjourned after prosecutors requested more time to gather evidence, but the court heard Cr Granger was keen to have the matter dealt with as soon as possible. Cr Granger and fellow councillor David Saunderson were charged in May after allegedly failing to declare they received donations for the 2004 council elections from Lascorp when a vote involving the developer was debated. They later reported the incident to Local Government Minister Richard Wynne and Local Government Victoria for investigation.

Cr Granger and Cr Saunderson stood down from their positions on the City of Greater Geelong council in June, pending the court case. "I have determined that the most responsible course of action is to take leave of absence from council until there is a resolution in relation to charges I face in the Magistrates' Court," Cr Granger said at the time. "I will, however, remain active in the community, as I always have." Cr Saunderson was listed to appear yesterday along with Cr Granger, but Magistrate Ron Saines heard that had been a clerical error, with Cr Saunderson already down to appear on a later date. Cr Granger will reappear in court on August 12, and Cr Saunderson on September 8, both for contest mentions.