MDAS leadership Dispute: Former Director Calls for Government Intervention Amidst Vote re-Run
Table of Contents
A former director of the embattled Mallee District aboriginal Services (MDAS),Aunty Jemmes Handy,has publicly affirmed the legitimacy of the vote that removed her and other board members,and is now urging the Victorian state government to intervene as a scheduled re-run of the election looms. The dispute centers on procedures surrounding the organization’s annual general meeting and the subsequent election of a new chair and board,revealing deep divisions within the Aboriginal community-controlled organization.
Contentious Vote and Calls for Re-Run
Several board members, spearheaded by ousted chair Jenene Murray, have challenged the validity of the vote, citing “genuine concerns about the integrity of the ballot process.” They allege inconsistencies and a lack of control during the election, prompting calls for a re-run scheduled for february 14.
ms.Handy, however, attributes the challenges to members posing valid questions to MDAS’s executive, chair, and board regarding the company’s operations.
according to Ms. Handy, these questions were not adequately addressed, leading her to describe MDAS as “a laughing stock” and its members as unheard. “Usually, I try to stick around and change things, but I couldn’t take it anymore,” she said. She is now advocating for direct government involvement to resolve the situation.
“A Game of Thrones” Within MDAS
MDAS’s official position is that the election process was not “fair and transparent,” citing procedural issues and disruptions during the meeting. In a statement, ousted chair Aunty Jenene Murray asserted, “The process itself needs to be re-run in a clear, calm and constitutionally compliant way.” She clarified that this does not necessarily invalidate the previous outcome, suggesting the same directors could be re-elected.
However, multiple individuals who attended the meeting have told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the vote was conducted appropriately and overseen by a justice of the peace, supporting the initial results. The ABC also reports that MDAS has challenged the subsequent election of Nikita Hart and Tania Smith as chair and deputy chair, respectively, alleging improper procedure. ms. Hart, however, has refuted these claims, stating she is “being denied access to act in my role as chair” and dismissing the allegations as “outrageous.” MDAS has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Ms. Hart and Ms. smith.
toxic Culture and Member Concerns
Multiple members of the Aboriginal community-controlled MDAS have described the organization’s culture as “toxic.” Documents obtained by the ABC reveal that members and employees raised concerns with the board as early as last year, including requests to make the membership list public and conduct a financial audit.
Employees, fearing retribution, called for a special general meeting but were denied by MDAS’s legal counsel, who stated “unanimously” that there was “no valid resolution” to hold one. However,several former and current board members have contested this claim,asserting that board decisions were not always unanimous and that many member concerns were valid.
Ms. Handy alleges that MDAS is actively silencing its members and employees. “Go and talk to the people in the community, go and talk to the people working there as they’re not allowed to talk about the organisation or they’ll be sacked,” she urged. the ABC has reviewed letters sent to at least one employee reminding them of MDAS’s grievance policy, which prohibits sharing concerns outside the organization and threatens termination for violations.
Government response and Ongoing Support
A Victorian government spokesperson stated that they are working closely with MDAS and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) to strengthen the voice of the Aboriginal community within the organization, and also improve its governance and management. VACCHO, the peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health organizations in Victoria, has confirmed its attendance at the rescheduled meeting on February 14.
The ongoing dispute at MDAS highlights the complex challenges facing Aboriginal community-controlled organizations and the critical need for transparent governance and strong community engagement.
Worth a look
