The NSW Government has been asked to identify the incidents and evidence behind statements made to Parliament about workplace safety concerns and “attacks on staff” at Hawkesbury City Council.
In questions lodged on October 6, Legislative Council member John Ruddick is seeking an explanation of evidence given by Office of Local Government Deputy Secretary Brett Whitworth at Budget Estimates on September 2.
The questions ask what Mr Whitworth meant when he referred to “quite significant workplace health and safety concerns” and “fairly vigorous attacks on staff”, and whether the information supporting those descriptions had been independently verified.
Addressed to the Local Government portfolio, parliamentary question 6106 carries an answer deadline of October 27.
A central issue is whether the conduct Mr Whitworth described when addressing a NSW Parliament Budget Estimates Committee hearing on 2 September 2026 involved the Hawkesbury Gazette, its publisher or representatives.
Mr Ruddick asks the Government to identify any specific conduct alleged against the newspaper and the evidence supplied to the Office of Local Government. If Mr Whitworth was referring to others, the questions seek clarification of the people or categories of conduct involved.
The questions do not establish that any allegations have been substantiated. They seek to distinguish verified incidents from information or allegations supplied to the department.
Mr Ruddick asks what complaints, workplace incident reports, risk assessments, witness accounts or correspondence the Office of Local Government had received before Mr Whitworth gave his evidence.
He also asks whether the department independently checked that material and, if so, what it found.
The questions directly examine the relationship between the workplace safety claims and Council’s exclusion of the Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio.
Mr Ruddick asks whether Mr Whitworth discussed the exclusions with General Manager Will Barton, and whether Council represented them as being connected to the concerns subsequently described in Parliament.
He further asks whether the Office of Local Government received evidence supporting Council’s claim that the Gazette or its representatives created an unacceptable workplace health and safety risk, and whether the department independently assessed that evidence.
Another question seeks an important distinction: did the expression “attacks on staff” refer to threats, harassment, intimidation or other conduct presenting a workplace safety risk, or did it include criticism, media reporting, questions about Council decisions and other public scrutiny?
The parliamentary questions also seek information about whether the concerns were referred to SafeWork NSW, NSW Police, the United Services Union, Council’s insurer or another independent authority.
If referrals occurred, Mr Ruddick wants the dates and the outcomes or current status.
The Gazette’s own attempts to obtain clarification are also raised.
Mr Ruddick asks whether the Office of Local Government received the newspaper’s correspondence of September 3 seeking clarification and evidence about Mr Whitworth’s statements, and why a substantive response has not been provided.
He asks whether any legal, privacy, confidentiality or other restriction prevents the department from identifying whether the statements rested on independently verified incidents, Council-supplied allegations or another source.
The Government is also asked whether the Minister or department has reviewed the evidence to determine whether clarification, correction or qualification should be provided to Parliament or publicly.
Finally, Mr Ruddick asks whether the workplace safety concerns, governance issues and treatment of local media warrant an investigation under section 430 of the Local Government Act 1993.
If such an investigation has not been considered warranted, he asks what further information would be required.
The Government’s response will provide an opportunity to explain the evidentiary basis of the statements and the Office of Local Government’s handling of the matters raised.
To view the question on the NSW Parliament Notice Paper follow the link:
