ICAC last week visited Mid-Western Regional Council offices and removed documents dating back to the year 2000, as well as computers, emails and codes of conduct. 

In a statement released on Wednesday, Cr Kennedy said he was aware of allegations against him regarding possible conflicts of interest. 

“I want to make clear that I have declared my interest and left the room every time council has discussed an item I had anything to do with,” he said. 

“I have never been a part of any such debate or decision.”

Cr Kennedy said he would be disappointed to find that allegations had come from within the political structure of Mid-Western Regional Council, or came from strong political malice. 

“These allegations don’t just threaten my reputation, but our whole community,” he said. 

“If indeed this is a beat-up by a councillor which is what’s been suggested to me, I will have very serious concerns about the lengths they are going to in order to discredit this council and promote their own political standing.

“ICAC’s investigation doesn’t worry me at all.  As far as I’m concerned we’ve done nothing wrong and they can look at whatever they want.

“I’m proud of all the achievement of council over the last few years and pathetic attempts to undermine that will never benefit our residents.” 

Cr Kennedy said he was fully co-operating with ICAC’s investigation and would not make any further comment about it. 

General manager Warwick Bennett also released a statement at Wednesday’s council meeting. 

“As the investigation continues it is entirely inappropriate that I, or any member of staff, make any comment to the media or the public,” he said. 

“No comment will be made until the investigation is complete and ICAC has released their findings.” 

An extraordinary meeting which was  intended to discuss an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) inquiry into Mid-Western Regional Council was abandoned after all but four of the councillors left the council chamber. 

The extraordinary meeting was to have taken place after council’s ordinary meeting on Wednesday. 

However, at the opening of the extraordinary meeting,  Cr  Kennedy and Cr Max Walker declared an interest and left the room, on the grounds that both had been named in media reports as “persons of interest”. 

Cr Peter Shelley also left the room, stating that as ICAC had not informed anyone who or what was being investigated,  no councillor should take part in discussions regarding ICAC. 

“I’m out,” he said, leaving the chamber.  “No quorum, no meeting.” 

Cr John Weatherley had left the council chamber due to illness before the extraordinary meeting opened and with Deputy Mayor Paul Cavalier absent, only Cr Percy Thompson, Cr Esme Martens, Cr Lucy White and Cr John Webb remained.

Cr White attempted to explain that she had intended to move that council write to ICAC asking the reason for the inquiry. 

But Mr Bennett declared that as there were too few councillors for a quorum, the meeting could not proceed. 

Resident Bruce Haigh, who has called for a public meeting on the inquiry, objected from the public gallery, demanding that the general manager and anyone named stand aside. 

“It’s a disgrace,” Mr Haigh shouted.  “You are dragging Mudgee’s name through the mud.”