Robert Doyle complainant confronts council meeting demanding copy of her report
One of the women who has accused former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle of sexually assaulting her has begged the city council to let her read a copy of the investigation into her allegations, saying her mental health was at stake.
“This is to my mental state and is a right,” an emotional Kharla Williams told a Melbourne City Council meeting.
Ms Williams, a real estate marketer, alleges Mr Doyle touched her inner thigh during a Melbourne Health dinner in 2016. She has made a statement to Victoria Police.
Melbourne City Council CEO Justin Hanney confirmed he had a copy of the report by Ian Freckelton, QC.
However he said the report would not be released to anyone else until the police investigation was concluded.
“That process certainly protects you,” he told Ms Williams.
“If charges are laid against Mr Doyle, he won’t have a basis to apply for a stay in proceeding on the basis that criminal proceedings have been prejudiced by Dr Freckelton’s findings.”
Mr Hanney said no councillors had seen the report or received a briefing.
Ms Williams pleaded to be able to read the report, saying she would sign a confidentiality report not to divulge its contents.
"I was sexually assaulted by the former Lord Mayor, I am a victim of sexual assault and have a right to read the report,” Ms Williams said.
“I want to get on with my life, I want my family to get on with our lives. I want to do this for my life, my employment, my husband’s employment. I want to read the report.”
Mr Doyle resigned in February 2018, just days after he was handed the key findings of a council investigation into sexual harassment claims against him by multiple women.
The investigation, also led by Dr Freckelton, upheld four allegations of misconduct against Mr Doyle including that he had grasped the breast of former councilor Tessa Sullivan.
Mr Doyle has withdrawn a Supreme Court injunction blocking Melbourne City Council from releasing its subsequent investigation into Ms William’s allegations.
However the council says it cannot release the report until the Victoria Police investigation is concluded, saying it would have implications for any possible criminal trial.
“I absolutely acknowledge her (Ms Williams') frustration with the system and process,” Mr Hanney said.
“We are frustrated by the process. We want her to read the report. Everything the city has done is to conclude investigations as quickly as possible.”
He said he had written to police asking them to expedite the criminal investigation so the matter could be drawn to a close as soon as possible.
Mr Hanney said he would advise the Lord Mayor to hold a special council meeting once the Victoria Police investigation was completed.
Ms Williams concluded by quoting Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s own words.
“The cost of speaking is up is still too high,” she said. “Processes have not caught up with our expectations as a society.”