TENSIONS continue to simmer between unsuccessful election candidate Tim Williams and Swan Hill Rural City Councillor John Katis despite the settling of an interim intervention order.
Both men have indicated they would seek legal advice over the other’s candidate’s conduct during last month’s local government elections.
It comes after complaints from both men were lodged with the Victorian Electoral Commission following the extremely close election result.
So far the complaints have been largely unsuccessful or are pending judgement.
A series of incidents during the election campaign came to a head when Cr John Katis levelled accusations at Tim Williams and lodged an interim intervention order against him after allegations of stalking.
On Tuesday the court organised an agreement between the men, with neither admitting wrongdoing.
Mr Williams was recommended not to come into close contact with Cr Katis, his business or his grandchildren, or contact him by phone or text for six months.
“The [magistrate] said in a small community like ours, we need to come to agreement, we have to respect each other’s space, and I was quite happy to abide by the recommendations,” Cr Katis said.
Mr Williams said he also had no problems abiding by the recommendations — both men have not spoken directly to each other in months.
Despite the apparent reconciliation, Mr Williams continued to adamantly deny allegations made against him and said he was “going down the path” with his lawyer of investigating possible defamation in relation to public comments Cr Katis made during the campaign.
Cr Katis said he would also take legal advice in relation to a comment made by Mr Williams on Facebook after the election.
Previously filing a raft of complaints with the Victorian Electoral Commission about Cr Katis’ conduct during the campaign, Mr Williams was told that most were invalid or a matter for council’s Councillor Code of Conduct.
Mr Williams has since applied for an Electoral Tribunal hearing, where his concerns will be heard by Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, if accepted.
“It’s the last resort for somebody in my situation,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams said he believed the interim intervention order was taken out for strategic advantage to discredit his character in the tight race for Robinvale Ward, but Cr Katis denied this.
“Not at all, it was right at the end (of the campaign) anyway — the only campaigning I did was putting posters up around town, and appearing at the election forum.”
Meanwhile, Mr Williams said losing by just 20 votes had influenced his decision to continue the fight to overturn the election result.
“If he had won by 100 or 200 votes it would be different. I’m not saying I’m going to be the best councillor in the world, but myself and obviously many more in the Robinvale Ward think we deserve better,” he said.
“My democratic right to a fair and equal election didn’t happen.”
