ASU slams toxic workplace culture at Moira Shire Council

The Australian Services Union - VIC TAS Branch

Media release - 2 July, 2025 - The Australian Services Union VIC TAS Branch has slammed the appalling workplace culture at Moira Shire Council, calling for urgent intervention to address systemic failures in employee wellbeing, safety, and leadership.

A recent ASU survey of Moira Shire Council workers paints a damning picture of a Council in crisis:

78% of staff say their situation is getting worse or much worse
73% say their mental health has impacted their work performance
68% have experienced threats, violence, or intimidation at work
73% do not believe management would take their concerns seriously
68% feel exhausted or at risk of burnout

Just 5% were satisfied with how management handled reports of threats

ASU VIC TAS Branch Secretary Tash Wark said the results expose a toxic, unsafe workplace culture that leadership has failed to fix.

“Sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, and burnout are rife at Moira Shire Council,

“It is staggering that only 5% of workers believe management takes their concerns seriously, and the vast majority say the situation is only getting worse.

“This shows a complete failure by management to protect workers. When issues are raised, there’s a culture of secrecy, cover-up, and neglect that is unacceptable.

The ASU has formally written to Moira Shire Council leadership demanding urgent, independent action to protect staff and restore basic workplace standards. In the letter, the Union highlighted harrowing staff accounts describing burnout, intimidation, and deep mental health impacts:

Dozens of employees have resigned in recent months, citing bullying, unsafe workloads, and poor leadership
Some employees have been driven to the brink of mental health crises, with allegations of dismissive and harmful treatment by Council management during return-to-work processes
A pattern of procedural unfairness, stand-downs, and vague misconduct allegations has further undermined trust in leadership
Council’s tokenistic wellbeing programs, including mandatory “House” games, have left staff feeling patronised and not supported
Employees fear reporting hazards or complaints due to the risk of retribution

“The Commission of Inquiry into Moira Shire exposed deep cultural failings. But rather than fixing the problems, the Council has allowed them to fester.

“It’s disgraceful that people are leaving broken, burnt out, or worse. That should be setting off every alarm at Council, yet management refuses to listen.

“Workers have told us directly they feel traumatised, silenced, and abandoned. Enough is enough.”

The ASU is demanding:

An independent review into workplace culture and psychological safety, selected in consultation with the ASU
A transparent audit of complaints and People and Culture processes
Full release of WorkSafe’s psychosocial wellbeing survey findings, withheld for over a year now
Immediate cessation of ineffective “House” games, with resources redirected to trauma-informed, practical supports
A meeting with ASU officials and delegates within two weeks to agree on urgent steps to protect staff

“The workforce is in crisis. Leadership can’t claim ignorance. They’ve been warned repeatedly, and these survey results are just the latest proof.

“The time for spin and neglect is over. Moira Shire Council must act now to protect its workforce.”

Contact details:

Media contact: Darren Rodrigo – 0414 783 405 or [email protected]