The Monaro Zone – A Resignation Shrouded in Shadows
You unlock this door with the key of public trust. Beyond it is another dimension—a dimension of governance and power, but also of secrets and shadows. You’ve entered The Monaro Zone, where transparency flickers like a dim lightbulb and accountability feels just out of reach.
But before we dive in, I want to take a moment to thank all of you—our dear listeners—for your kind words and unwavering support. Your feedback, your thumbs up, and your comments keep our team motivated to keep asking the tough questions. Now, let’s get on with the show.
And what a show it is. Steve Whan, Member for the Monaro, has just revealed a startling new detail on ABC Radio. According to Whan, the CEO of the Snowy Monaro Regional Council, David Hogan, resigned not of his own free will, but under legal threats—threats holding him personally liable for his actions as CEO. This isn’t just a curious twist; it’s a revelation that changes the entire story. If the CEO had acted lawfully, what reason would he have to fear personal liability? The fact that such legal pressure was applied raises serious questions about what governance failures may have occurred—and why the council’s leadership seems desperate to avoid scrutiny.
With this new piece of information, the significance of the CEO’s sudden resignation becomes crystal clear: This isn’t just a change in leadership—it’s a crisis of governance. And Mayor Hanna and his gang of five councillors aren’t just brushing past the resignation—they may be actively obstructing transparency and accountability.
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A Resignation Surrounded by Suspicion
It begins with a seemingly straightforward motion—one that might have passed unnoticed, if not for a few determined voices questioning the rush. During a recent council meeting, Mayor Chris Hanna quickly moved to accept the CEO’s resignation. No discussion. No details. Just a swift motion to close the book.
Mayor Hanna: “Moving on to 9.5.1. Thank you. To accept the resignation of the CEO, David Hogan.”
But as any student of the Monaro Zone knows, the devil is in the details. And some councillors weren’t ready to turn the page just yet. Councillors Rose, Thaler, and Williamson, demanded access to the CEO’s resignation letter—asking to understand what had prompted his sudden departure. Their concern wasn’t just procedural. It was a matter of principle: without seeing the resignation letter, how could they possibly vote to accept it?
Councillor Thaler said: “Before we can accept the resignation, I need to read what the general manager has actually said... It’s highly irregular that the executive would say we’re not entitled to read the CEO’s resignation.”
The Mayor, however, seemed uninterested in principles or process. He shut down the discussion with an unsettling certainty saying “Sorry, the resignation of the CEO today. We’re accepting it... I’m moving it.”
Councillor Williamson pushed back, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface stated “I don’t see why I should accept it. I’m concerned about accepting something in a document I haven’t even read. I wouldn’t sign a contract I haven’t read!”
But Hanna remained steadfast, dismissing their objections uttered “The letter is a personal thing and that’s it.”
A strange assertion, indeed. What could be so personal about a resignation letter from a public official? Councillor Rose summed up the growing unease in the room, factually asserting “[You want] us to trust someone we don’t know with information we haven’t seen.”
Mayor Hanna was dismissive “The reason for the resignation is irrelevant.”
And so, with a shrug and a motion, the letter—along with the truth—slipped into the void, maybe never to be seen by those meant to oversee the council’s actions - or so the gang of six hoped.
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The Role of Legal Threats and Governance Failures
But this story doesn’t end with a resignation. In fact, that’s where the real mystery begins. New revelations surfaced when Steve Whan, Member for the Monaro, made a startling statement on ABC Radio. The CEO, it seemed, hadn’t resigned for personal reasons. Instead, he left under legal threats—threats that held him personally liable for council actions.
Steve Whan said “The general manager felt that he needed to resign very early because of threats being made in legal terms against him. To hold him personally liable for things.”
Now we must ask ourselves: If the CEO acted lawfully, what reason would he have to fear legal consequences? The principle is clear: If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. So why would a public servant—if he were confident in his actions—resign rather than defend his decisions?
These revelations have only deepened the concerns raised by Councillors Rose, Thaler, and Williamson. What governance failures were at play? And why would Mayor Hanna and his five loyal councillors—Summers, Higgins, Hopkins, Rooney, and Davis—refuse to investigate? What are they so desperate to keep hidden?
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A Governance Obstructed: Questions without Answers
It’s no longer just about the CEO’s resignation. It’s about the integrity of the council itself and trust in public office.
By refusing to release the resignation letter, Mayor Hanna and his allies have raised more than just eyebrows—they’ve raised serious suspicions. What part did they play in the CEO’s departure? Did they encourage him to go outside the law?
If there’s nothing to hide, the answer is simple: Release the resignation letter. Allow an investigation. Bring the truth into the light. But instead, Hanna and his councillors continue to obstruct transparency at every turn, leaving ratepayers to wonder: What exactly are they hiding?
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In Conclusion: Immediate Investigation and Accountability Required
And so, dear listeners, we find ourselves at a crossroads—a place where secrets multiply and trust withers. The actions of Mayor Hanna and his five loyal councillors have cast long shadows over the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. Their refusal to cooperate—their active obstruction of transparency—raises the most unsettling question of all: What part did they play in the CEO’s resignation?
Before we close, let’s lay out the questions that now demand urgent answers:
- Why did the CEO of Snowy Monaro resign under legal threats?
- If the CEO acted lawfully, why would he fear personal liability?
- Why are Mayor Hannah and his loyal councillors blocking access to the resignation letter?
- What role did the council’s leadership play in the CEO’s departure?
- And most importantly: If there is nothing to hide, why are they working so hard to suppress transparency?
The time for silence has passed. An independent investigation must begin immediately, focusing not only on the resignation of the CEO but on the governance failures that allowed this to happen. Hanna and his gang of councillors must step aside—their continued presence risks tainting any investigation and further eroding public trust.
The people of Snowy Monaro deserve better. They deserve accountability, transparency, and governance free of shadowy dealings. And if misconduct or negligence is uncovered, those responsible must face significant consequences.
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That’s all for this episode of The Monaro Zone. If you have a story to share—or a mystery that needs unraveling—reach out to us. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and give us a thumbs up—it keeps us going on this journey into the unknown.
Until next time, dear listeners... stay vigilant, ask the tough questions, and remember: not everything is as it seems.
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