Adam Wojtonis, the director of the Canberra Liberals dispute, has alleged that he is the victim of retaliatory conduct after raising concerns about branch stacking within the party. Wojtonis claims that his employment was terminated and he was subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation after he reported alleged irregularities in the party's membership processes.
Allegations of Branch Stacking
Wojtonis, who served as the director of the party's dispute resolution committee, said he had identified instances where people were signed up as members without their knowledge or consent, a practice known as branch stacking. He reported these findings to senior party officials, but instead of taking action, he alleges that they retaliated against him.
According to Wojtonis, the party's leadership attempted to silence him by terminating his contract and launching a smear campaign. He has now taken legal action against the Canberra Liberals, seeking damages for unfair dismissal and breach of contract.
Party's Response
A spokesperson for the Canberra Liberals denied the allegations, stating that Wojtonis's employment was terminated for performance-related reasons unrelated to his complaints. The spokesperson said the party takes all allegations of branch stacking seriously and has its own internal processes to investigate such matters.
However, Wojtonis's lawyer, Mark Smith, said that the timing of the termination and subsequent actions against his client strongly suggest a retaliatory motive. Smith noted that Wojtonis had received positive performance reviews prior to raising the branch stacking concerns.
Impact on Party Reputation
The dispute has cast a shadow over the Canberra Liberals' internal operations, with some party members calling for an independent inquiry into the allegations. The matter also raises questions about the party's governance and commitment to transparency.
Wojtonis's case is expected to be heard in the ACT Supreme Court later this year. He is seeking compensation for lost income and damages for the alleged mistreatment.
