City of Joondalup councillor Nige Jones has been found to have breached code of conduct standards for claiming a drink expense at an Adelaide strip club during a city-funded trip in August. The censure notice stated that his claim for reimbursement of an alcoholic beverage at the Crazy Horse Revue and attendance at the establishment did not meet the standards expected of a council member.
Jones described the incident as a 'genuine mistake', saying he walked to the nearest bar and ordered a beer to relax after a restless sleep before an early flight back to Perth. He said a dancer came out on the bar floor to dance in a bikini, and he promptly drank his beer quickly and left. He also noted he was not reimbursed by the City of Joondalup.
The Crazy Horse Revue, located on Hindley Street, describes itself as 'Australia's most iconic gentlemen's club for over 40 Years' and 'the best strip club in Australia' on its website. Jones was ordered to complete an education course on ethical decision making and provide a written reflection on his actions within 30 days, which he submitted on November 19.
Mayor Daniel Kingston expressed deep disappointment, stating the behaviour falls far short of community standards. He said the city acted decisively by commissioning an independent investigation and implementing corrective measures, demonstrating commitment to transparency and high governance standards.
