PORT Stephens ratepayers are still suffering the hangover of its previous bitterly divided council with another defamation case launched by former mayor Bruce MacKenzie against his political rival Geoff Dingle.
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Mr MacKenzie, a millionaire property developer and businessman, has launched a second defamation case against his nemesis, former councillor Geoff Dingle, dating back to when the pair were serving on council.
The matter centres around the previous council’s last meeting before it entered caretaker mode ahead of the September 9 local government election.
It was tipped to be a mammoth session with a 900-page agenda, but the fiery meeting lasted a mere five minutes before councillors Dingle and Peter Kafer angrily stormed out – depriving the mayor of a quorum.
The monster agenda, containing more than 30 items, was labelled by Cr Kafer on the night as a “bloody joke”. Cr Dingle argued it was “entirely unfair” that the new council inherit “the consequences of these decisions”, but Cr MacKenzie dismissed the opposition as “grandstanding”.
It’s understood several weeks after the meeting, Mr MacKenzie took legal action - which he is funding - claiming he had been defamed by Mr Dingle.
The allegation at the centre of the case is heavily disputed. There was no webcast of the meeting and it’s believed the matter relies on witness accounts.
Port Stephens was the first Hunter council to introduce webcasting of its meetings, but voted in late 2012 to discontinue the service, citing concerns over defamation and operating costs.
As Mr Dingle was acting in his role as a councillor at the July meeting, the council’s insurer has been called in to accept responsibility for his legal fees, court costs and any possible payouts.
It is the second time the feud between the bitter rivals has spilled into the courtroom, and third defamation case brought by Mr MacKenzie in the past few years. The previous legal imbroglio between the men was sparked by an email sent by Mr Dingle in March 2016.
Mr MacKenzie, who paid his own legal fees to pursue the case, agreed to settle the suit against Mr Dingle before it went to a full hearing. The payout to Mr MacKenzie, covered by the council’s insurance, was believed to be about $70,000, plus legal costs.
Newly elected Port Stephens mayor Ryan Palmer said webcasting had been reintroduced so “everyone can see what is being said in council”. Cr Palmer said he hoped the new council “did not head down the same road” and “remain out of court”.
Mr Dingle and Mr MacKenzie said they were unable to comment.
