🔥💣 THE ANGRY MONITOR: FEMALE COUNCILLORS ALLEGEDLY BULLIED 💣🔥

Explosive allegations this week that women councillors no longer feel safe under the alleged behaviour of Municipal Monitor John Tanner — the very man appointed by Minister Nick Staikos himself to Hobsons Bay & Kingston Councils.

👩‍⚖️💥 Council Watch has seen shocking claims that women councillors have been allegedly:

• Spoken to in a condescending, aggressive, or bullying tone 😡

• Yelled at, with tables thumped 💢

• Targeted and pressured to obey his "directions"

• Denied support persons when questioned alone

• And interrogated far beyond what’s reasonable 😠

There are claims that some councillors do not feel safe meeting with Mr. Tanner.

Council Watch put these claims to Mr. Tanner, who initially agreed to reply. Following several days seeking his promised responses, Mr. Tanner ghosted Council Watch. Why? Did Mr. Tanner get direction from the Minister? Has he made him aware of the allegations? We are also aware that statements have been made to media organisations.

Council Watch notes that Mr Tanner appears behind the failed motion at Hobsons Bay to introduce job descriptions and selection criteria for Mayoral and Deputy positions.

We note that Kingston Council (where he is also monitor) have now called a special meeting to discuss the very same job descriptions - that is political interference.

https://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/2/hptrim/council-administration-council-committee-meetings-minutes-agendas/agenda-special-council-meeting-10-november-2025-electronic-copy.pdf

(Council Watch makes no claim that the bullying allegations are true, just that multiple councillors have made the claims.)

If true, this is not oversight — it’s intimidation, interference and control.

💣 Tanner’s alleged involvement in both Kingston and Hobsons Bay Councils proves he’s not just “monitoring” — he’s manipulating or directing.

His role is to observe and report, NOT to direct and dominate.

Nothing in his terms of reference allow him to direct councillors in this manner, nor in the alleged heavy-handed behaviours complained of.

👀 Minister Nick Staikos, who loves to call himself a “champion of women in local government”, now faces serious questions — because his appointee is the one accused of bullying women behind closed doors.

If these allegations are true, Staikos is complicit in potential psychological and psychosocial harm — the very kind of workplace behaviour his own government has just made illegal ⚖️.

What must happen NOW?

👉 Staikos must immediately stand John Tanner aside and launch a full investigation.👉 If he refuses — Premier Jacinta Allan must stand Staikos down.

Female Councillors at Hobsons Bay and Kingston (an all Councillors) have a right to feel safe in a monitors presence.

Let’s not forget — Staikos is already being sued by Cr Aidan McLindon for alleged political interference and misuse of power. Now, we’re seeing the same pattern: ministerial control, political manipulation, and intimidation of elected councillors.

💥 This is not democracy. 💥 This is not integrity. 💥

This is a culture of control — and it’s unravelling fast.

🧨 Enough is enough. Time for Victoria’s so-called integrity agencies to wake up and act.

#CouncilWatch #VicGov #NickStaikos #JohnTanner #IntegrityCrisis #LaborHypocrisy #WomenInLocalGov #CouncilWatchInvestigates