Shoalhaven City Councillor Ben Krikstolaitis has added his voice to the chorus complaining about the appointment of former NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance as Council’s new Chief Executive Officer.

After fellow Councillor Bob Proudfoot and Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips criticised the appointment, Cr Krikstolaitis has issued a statement savaging Council for the way in which the Liberal Party stalwart was awarded the role.

The Labor Councillor had concerns over Matthew Norris being removed from the selection panel as well as the fact that Constance was appointed without a unanimous vote and that his name had been leaked via social media during the interview process.

“The entire process of selecting a CEO was flawed from the start,” Cr Krikstolaitis said.

“From the removal of Cr Norris from the selection committee to the leak of Mr Constance's candidacy on social media and then to the process in the council chamber.

“I am sorry to say that I cannot comment further on what happened in the chamber due to confidentiality rules.

“It is highly unusual to elect a CEO without a unanimous vote. It is highly unusual for a candidate to turn down an offer after his name was leaked by persons unknown.”

Cr Krikstolaitis has invited Shoalhaven City Council ratepayers to write to local state member, Liza Butler, and to councillors to voice their displeasure at Constance’s appointment.

“The goalposts kept shifting and I do not believe we employed the best candidate,” he added.

“I have nothing personal against Mr Constance, in my limited experience with him he seems like a decent man. But that doesn't make him qualified for the role of CEO.

“There is a significant difference between a politician and a CEO. Political experience does not equate to being the executive with a half-billion dollar budget and hundreds of staff.

"The speed of which Mr Constance was placed in the role after the meeting has left no room for probity checks or any kind of response from the responsible people at the Office of Local Government. This is also highly unusual.

“I do believe this to be a political appointment rather than one which is merit-based. I welcome any response from the OLG and higher authorities in investigating the circumstances and process involved in employing Mr Constance.

“I do not believe that this appointment is in the best interests of the Shoalhaven.

“I look forward to continuing the work that we have put in over the last 12 months to bring down the debt and get real infrastructure. I still think it can be done but I also think it just became a more difficult job.”

After Robyn Stevens resigned in November 2024, James Ruprai held the role for eight months in an acting capacity before he also quit and Brian Barrett has filled in as an interim CEO since 31 July.

Mayor Patricia White said Constance brought more than 18 years of public service experience to the role, including as the NSW Member for Bega from 2003 to 2021 and holding several senior ministerial portfolios such as Treasurer of NSW, finance, transport and roads, industrial relations, ageing and disability services.

Phillips declared she had has "lost all confidence" in the Mayor and Council after the appointment, saying it "smacks of political bastardry".

Shoalhaven Councillor Bob Proudfoot aired his concerns on ABC Illawarra on Wednesday morning by saying he had concerns about conflicts of interest and that there were candidates there that fitted the role more appropriately.

NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman accused Labor of hypocrisy.

"He has exceptional skills, a Minister, a Treasurer at the most senior levels of government, he is the product of an executive search, and I understand the decision is the result of that executive search, a competitive process, and he has come out as the best candidate."