Perth Voice Interactive

FORMER Vincent CEO John Giorgi has picked up the gig as acting CEO at Claremont town council for an estimated two weeks.

Claremont CEO Stephen Goode is on unexpected leave and, in discussion with mayor Jock Barker, he appointed Mr Giorgi to take his place while he’s gone.

It’s a highly unusual appointment, with the CEO usually being replaced by one of the council directors, but they’re also either on holiday or sick leave.

We asked Mr Barker about the choice, and he replied that Mr Giorgi was an “experienced CEO”.

As a regular Voice reader, Mr Barker knew about a problem with Vincent’s budget last year, under Mr Giorgi’s watch, where an error saw it heading for a deficit, but he said “I’m not much interested in getting into what happens at Vincent at all, it’s irrelevant”.

“I’ve got nothing to say other than I think he’s a well-respected and well regarded CEO.

“People need to understand that when decisions are made regarding budgets, councillors are equally responsible, so when budgets go awry councillors need to look at themselves.

“I never go down the road of blaming the CEO because I know that councillors are very good at dancing out of their responsibilities.”

He said if a big mistake had occurred at a council where he was an elected member, “I’d resign” because elected members had a responsibility to carefully read budgets.

by DAVID BELL