A Cam Williams misconduct finding has been handed down over inaccurate and disparaging statements the Mornington Peninsula Shire councillor made during an interview with STPL News and through his official Facebook page.
Independent arbiter Noel Harvey OAM upheld both allegations brought by Cr David Gill and Cr Kate Roper.
Williams must now provide a written apology to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Gill and Roper. He must read it aloud at the council meeting on 29 September, with the apology recorded in the minutes.
Cam Williams Misconduct Finding Confirms Code Breaches
Gill and Roper lodged their application on 10 March following Williams’ conduct on 11 and 13 December 2025.
The first allegation concerned statements Williams made during a recorded interview with STPL News. The second related to his sharing of a Council Watch article and cartoon on his councillor Facebook page.
The material accused councillors of engaging in “stunts, personal vendettas and petty political games” and claimed arbitration proceedings had cost ratepayers “hundreds of thousands of dollars”.
During the STPL News interview, Williams admitted a September 2025 councillor term-limits motion was deliberately aimed at Gill.
“It was literally just to have a dig at Gill.”
Williams also referred to IBAC while discussing Gill’s notices of motion and claimed arbitration proceedings had cost “multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars”.
The arbiter found the IBAC reference and arbitration-cost claim were inaccurate. The decision records the previous arbitration cost as approximately $1,800.
The full report is available on page 11 – 18 in the September 1st Council Meeting Attachment Book via the Shire’s website.
Comments Went Beyond Robust Debate
Harvey found Williams failed to perform his role effectively and responsibly, treat fellow councillors with the required respect and exercise reasonable care and diligence.
He also found the conduct was capable of diminishing public trust in local government and bringing the council into discredit.
“These statements went beyond robust political debate and, in my view, fell below the standards of behaviour and responsibility required of an elected councillor.”
Both allegations were upheld as misconduct under the Local Government Act 2020.
The determination was tabled at the council meeting on 1 September with little public explanation or discussion.
Williams Admitted Statements Were Inaccurate
Williams acknowledged during the arbitration hearing that he had exercised poor judgement and made inappropriate statements.
He described his actions as “two very stupid things” and expressed remorse.
Williams admitted his IBAC reference was incorrect, saying he intended to refer to an earlier arbitration process. He also accepted that his claim about arbitration costs was inaccurate.
He told the arbiter that he considered his conversation with STPL News informal and was unaware for much of it that it was being recorded. However, he accepted that he understood his comments were likely to be reported publicly.
Earlier Apology Found Insufficient
Williams published an apology on Facebook in December 2025, saying he had “mis-spoke” and that “some” of his comments were inaccurate.
However, he did not identify the inaccurate statements or publicly correct them.
STPL News reported at the time that Williams had not specified which comments he disputed.
Harvey accepted that the earlier apology was genuine but found it did not address the two most serious inaccuracies.
“Those matters entered the public domain and, in my view, require a more specific public acknowledgement.”
The ordered apology must address Williams’ inaccurate reference to IBAC and his false statement about arbitration costs.
Gill And Roper Succeed In Misconduct Application
Gill and Roper succeeded in having both allegations established.
Gill sought a suspension of between two and three months, along with public and individual apologies.
Harvey declined to suspend Williams, taking into account his remorse, previous apology, further training and subsequent conduct. He instead ordered the public apology to address the deficiencies in Williams’ earlier statement.
The determination also confirms the importance of preserving the public record when elected representatives make statements about colleagues and council business.
In this case, the recorded STPL News interview became evidence in a formal process that resulted in both allegations being upheld and a misconduct finding against Williams.
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