Wyndham City Council has unanimously passed a motion of no confidence against Mayor Preet Singh, with all 10 councillors voting in favour during an extraordinary meeting on 27 April, escalating a deepening leadership crisis in Melbourne’s west.
The vote follows weeks of controversy surrounding Singh, who came under intense scrutiny after it was revealed he had written a character reference for a man later convicted of child sexual offences.
Councillors made clear the motion was intended to formally place on record their loss of confidence in Singh’s leadership, even though the Local Government Act does not allow them to remove a sitting mayor elected for a fixed term.
The Australia Today understands that several councillors, while strongly backing the motion, also raised concerns about the political environment surrounding the crisis.
Councillors noted that a newly formed “West Party” had been actively campaigning against Singh, suggesting the issue was being amplified for political gain. Despite this, councillors maintained their position that Singh should resign, stressing their stance was based on governance, community trust and the ability to lead effectively.
The no-confidence vote comes after all councillors publicly called on Singh to step down earlier this month, warning that he could no longer adequately perform the duties of mayor.
Community anger has remained high, with protests held outside Wyndham Civic Centre and a petition launched calling for Singh’s removal, reflecting broader concern about leadership and accountability at the council.
Singh has consistently refused to resign, arguing he did nothing illegal and that the character reference was provided in a private capacity before entering public office. He has also claimed the backlash was driven in part by an organised campaign with political motivations.
The situation has already triggered state government intervention, with a municipal monitor appointed to oversee governance and restore stability at Wyndham City Council.
While the unanimous no-confidence vote marks a significant escalation, it leaves the council in a difficult position, with limited legal options to force a leadership change. The Australia Today understands further political and administrative developments are likely as pressure continues to mount on the mayor.
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