Letter to Minister Staikos from Wyndham City Councillors - 2 April 2026

2 April 2026
Hon. Nick Staikos
Minister for Local Government
Via email: Nick.Staikos@parliament.vic.gov.au
CC: mike.gooey@dgs.vic.gov.au

Dear Minister,

We, the Councillors of Wyndham City Council, are writing to you to request that you use your powers to initiate a process under the Local Government Act 2020 to remove Cr Preet Singh from the Council.

As you are no doubt aware, Cr Singh signed a character reference in April 2024, supporting a now convicted sex offender. Councillors were made aware of that letter when it was made public on Monday as part of a Liberal Party preselection stoush and has caused significant community distress.

We cannot stand by and allow our Council and the Wyndham community to serve as collateral damage as a result of a mess that is not of our making.

This is not an issue of Governance, it is a case of one Councillor putting their interests above those of the Council and Wyndham residents.

All Councillors are now united in their belief that Cr Singh is unable to perform his role as Mayor and serve the community. It is crucial for the Wyndham community that he is removed to enable stability to be restored.

In addition, and perhaps most importantly, this situation is likely causing significant distress to the 15-year-old victim, and this will only be exacerbated the longer this drags on.

As a Council, we are committed to moving forward in the best interests of the community but we urgently need your help to restore public trust and get on with the job of making decisions in the best interests of our residents.

We implore you to intervene – the Wyndham community deserves better!

Signatories:

  • Cr Jasmine Hill, Deputy Mayor, Featherbrook Ward
  • Cr Peter Maynard, Quandong Ward
  • Cr Mia Shaw, Werribee Park Ward
  • Cr Robert Szatkowski, Brinbeal Ward
  • Cr Susan McIntyre, Cheetham Ward
  • Cr Shannon McGuire, Grange Ward
  • Cr Jennie Barrera, Heathdale Ward
  • Cr Maria King, Iramoo Ward
  • Cr Larry Zhao, Williams Landing Ward
  • Cr Josh Gilligan, Wimba Ward


Letter to Minister Staikos from Wyndham City Councillors - 2 April 2026