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Geelong council facing sack legislation

Geelong's council could be sacked by the end of Thursday with the Victorian government and opposition negotiating on legislation to punt the councillors.

Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons
Geelong's council is in limbo after reports of a culture of bullying and abuse. (AAP) Source: AAP

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Source: AAP


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Geelong's abusive council is set to be sacked on Thursday with the Victorian government and opposition negotiating on the final details.

A damning report found a culture of bullying and harassment at the council, stemming from paparazzo-turned-mayor Darryn Lyons, other councillors and managers.

The government and opposition are negotiating over when the next council elections will be held, the mayoral election model, and who the council's commissioners will be.

Mr Lyons says the report was aimed at getting him out of office for party political reasons.

"I'm disgusted and upset at the 115-page inquiry report that very much solely singled out and identified the mayor," Mr Lyons told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

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"The fact of the matter is all other identities have been completely covered up in this."

An independent report made public on Tuesday detailed abuse involving Mr Lyons, other councillors and managers - often directed at staff.

Mr Lyons threatened to close down a local business after yelling at its staff, before later telling investigators he did not remember the incident.

Mr Lyons also asked if outside staff were "f***ing dumb" and threatened the council's chief executive with defamation if bullying allegations were made public.

On Wednesday the mayor defended his behaviour by insisting: "I'm bullish - I am not a bully."

Debate on the legislation is due in Victoria's upper house on Thursday.


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