Private prosecution forces five Victorian councillors to stand down, crippling local government

A resident's private criminal charges against five Hepburn Shire councillors and their CEO have triggered automatic suspensions, leaving the council unable to pass major decisions.

• Resident David Penman filed private prosecutions against five of seven councillors and the council's CEO, alleging they unlawfully adopted the budget without required financial documents.
• Penman said his actions were "democracy functioning through the rule of law" and that elected representatives must obey the law.
• Hepburn Shire Council stated the prosecutions are "disrupting democracy" and have not involved any investigation by Victoria Police or a public prosecutor.
• Councillor Brian Hood said the council cannot meet a quorum for major decisions but daily services continue, and called for the Victorian government to intervene.