Wyndham mayor Preet Singh has taken a leave of absence from his mayoral duties following mounting community backlash over a character reference he provided for a sex offender.
Speaking exclusively to The Australia Today on Wednesday morning, Cr Singh confirmed he had asked deputy mayor Jasmine Hill to assume mayoral responsibilities from 2 April while he is away.
He declined to say how long he would step aside for.
The controversy erupted earlier this week after it was revealed that Cr Singh wrote a character reference in 2024 for Kashyap Patel, before his election to council.
The remarks have been met with anger from sections of the community, with a protest scheduled for 5pm on Wednesday at the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee. Organisers are calling for Cr Singh to permanently stand down as mayor.
In a statement, Cr Singh acknowledged the distress caused by the situation and apologised.
“I want to acknowledge the courage of victim-survivors who continue to speak out. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent, and I unequivocally condemn it,” he said.
He also admitted the reference had raised serious concerns about his judgment.
“For that I am deeply sorry,” he told The Australia Today.
“I sincerely apologise for any hurt or harm caused, particularly to the victim and those in our community impacted by this issue.”
Cr Singh said he respected the community’s right to protest and had reached out to organisers to offer to meet and listen to their concerns.
“I respect the right of community members to express their views, including through peaceful protest,” he said.
The political pressure is also building. Werribee MP John Lister has written to Local Government Minister Nick Staikos seeking advice on the situation, as questions grow over Cr Singh’s future in the role.
For now, Cr Singh says he will inform Wyndham chief executive Stephen Wall if and when he decides to return.
“My commitment remains to serve the Wyndham community with integrity, and to work every day to contribute to a safer and stronger community,” he said.
The controversy has sparked Cr Singh’s political future and community confidence in local leadership.
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