Ong found to breach Dunedin code of conduct for third time
The Dunedin City Council has accepted findings that councillor Benedict Ong breached its code of conduct for a third time, and has suspended him from all council committees and subcommittees for nine months, until July 2027 (RNZ).
The council met behind closed doors on Thursday to discuss the complaint. Councillor Andrew Simms chaired the item and said the council accepted findings that Ong had materially breached the code in a public and deliberate manner.
The complaint was made in June by deputy mayor Cherry Lucas. It alleged that Ong had publicly posted confidential information and criticised the council's chief executive on social media. The code of conduct sets out how elected members are expected to behave, including how they handle council information.
This is not the first time Ong has been found in breach. In May, he received a nine-month suspension after an independent report found he was likely deliberately and repeatedly leaking information that could potentially jeopardise the council's commercial interests. That breach concerned a possible hotel development next to Forsyth Barr Stadium. Earlier, on March 25, he was found to have breached the code over an email about a staff member, according to the Otago Daily Times.
Ong had already been suspended from some duties, and had been asked to resign, after two earlier complaints were upheld.
The latest suspension does not affect his attendance at full council meetings. The independent report on the latest complaint will be kept confidential.
Ong has said he has been the subject of false, malicious and coordinated political attacks since he was elected last October. He has announced plans to stand as an independent candidate in the Dunedin electorate. He has also confirmed on social media that he will resign from the council on 31 December, regardless of whether his campaign is successful.
Separately, Ong was trespassed from the University of Otago's grounds and buildings following student complaints about inappropriate and unwanted behaviour.
