Western Australia
Perth Council Member Quits After Strip Club Expense Claim
Joondalup city councillor Nige Jones stepped down due to reasons following a claim for a beer purchased at an Adelaide strip club on work expenses. Jones stated he unintentionally entered Crazy Horse Revue August during a city-funded visit and promptly exited upon realizing the venue. The council determined he violated conduct rules. He took an ethics course. Submitted a reflection. Jones was also scrutinized over exaggerating service, in election materials. WA Premier Roger Cook condemned it as an use of ratepayer money. Resignation takes effect February next year.
Nige Jones served as a councillor at the City of Joondalup in Western Australia. On Wednesday he formally stepped down explaining his departure was due to reasons. Jones faced issues after attempting to reclaim funds for a beer he purchased at a strip club in Adelaide in August during a work trip funded by the city. The council determined that he violated conduct standards by lodging this expense claim. His resignation is set to take effect in February.
Events That Took Place in Adelaide
In August Jones went to Adelaide on a trip funded by the city. He mentioned that he had trouble sleeping one night and decided to go out for a drink to unwind. He walked to the bar and entered. There was no charge to get into the venue. Jones chose a beer since he had a flight back, to Perth the following morning.
He mentioned he had been away from his bed for 15 minutes when a dancer appeared in a bikini. That’s when Jones understood he had entered a strip club. He said he gulped down his beer as fast as possible and departed. The establishment involved was the Crazy Horse Revue. Per the club’s website, it is Australia’s legendary gentlemen’s club and has operated for more than 40 years in the heart of Adelaide.
Jones mentioned he spent no than 20 minutes inside the Crazy Horse. He then. Went to a different bar, where he purchased another drink. Upon returning to Western Australia Jones submitted all the receipts, for his drinks during the trip to claim reimbursement. He stated he never deliberately sought out a strip club or remained to observe the dancers. Jones also noted that he is not well-acquainted with Adelaide's city centre.
Response by the Council
The City of Joondalup released a reprimand notice regarding Jones indicating that his request for reimbursement for a beverage at the Crazy Horse Revue failed to align with the expected conduct of a council member. On November 13 the council determined that Jones violated conduct guidelines and mandated that he undergo an ethics decision-making training. Additionally, he was required to submit a reflection, on his behaviour within 30 days.
Mr Jones stated that he provided the City of Joondalup with an action plan as they had asked. He is also scheduled to participate in the decision course mandated by the council.
Daniel Kingston holds the position of mayor in Joondalup. He stated that a variety of elements could have contributed to Jones's choice to step down. In a discussion with ABC Radio Perth Kingston noted that Jones cited reasons for his decision. Jones expressed a desire to dedicate time to his family. The mayor mentioned that such situations are rarely isolated and that various occurrences preceded this resignation.
Questions About Military Service
Jones was previously questioned regarding his background. His campaign literature for the council election claimed he demonstrated integrity via 11 years of service. The brochure mentioned the SAS Regiment, Royal Military Police, Australian Pilbara Regiment and RAAF. Jones underwent SAS training for a month but moved to a different regimen prior to completing it.
He mentioned that he likely ought to have provided details to the voters. However, Jones explained that his election campaign materials constrained him in terms of word count. "You only get 150 words, " he said. He added that it was simply listing the locations where he trained and served.
He said it offended him when such terms were employed merely as a tool to undermine his reputation. He mentioned that people were undermining the years of dedication he gave to the Pilbara Regiment as a patrolman based at Taylor Barracks, in Karratha. Jones considered it disrespectful particularly coming from critics who had never worn a uniform or served the nation.
Comments by the Premier
On Wednesday morning the Western Australian Premier, Roger Cook spoke about the issue prior to Jones’s resignation. Cook expressed that he wanted Jones to deeply consider his future with the council. The Premier also stated that such conduct was entirely unacceptable and questioned the reason for Jones’s presence on the council if he found that behaviour acceptable.
He mentioned that this issue was not about whether an individual enjoys a glass of wine or has preferences in entertainment. The concern was about allocating taxpayers’ money to buy strippers and alcohol. He expressed that he couldn't comprehend how or, under what circumstances such spending could be justified.
This event has caused embarrassment for the City of Joondalup. In Western Australia local councils receive funding from ratepayers. It is anticipated that funds are used prudently for council affairs than for individual amusement.
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