MELBOURNE, 25 August 2025: Councillor Pradeep Tiwari has temporarily stepped aside from his duties as Mayor and Councillor of Maribyrnong City Council, in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020, following charges being laid against him, says a council media release.
“This is a personal matter for Cr Tiwari, and Council respects the legal process now underway. We trust it will be resolved in a timely and appropriate manner.
In the interim, Deputy Mayor Cr Bernadette Thomas will assume the role of Acting Mayor.
Council will not be making any further comment at this time.” the statement added.
Star Weekly adds:
Cr Tiwari’s term as mayor concludes in November.
Speaking to Star Weekly, Cr Tiwari said he hoped to return to council before his term ends.
“I’ve got some very interesting works to complete [as mayor] so I intend to fully come back and complete those works,” he said.
Cr Tiwari wouldn’t comment further on the charges as the matter was now before the courts, but said none of the alleged offences occurred while he was on council.
“It’s got nothing to do with council or my work on council.”
First elected in last October’s municipal elections, Cr Tiwari was elected Maribyrnong mayor in November, with council claiming he was Victoria’s first mayor of Indian heritage.
While thanking those who’d shown their support since reports of the driving charges and arrest warrant emerged on Thursday, Cr Tiwari slammed the racist comments he’d received.
“It is very difficult for me to understand why the entire Indian community is being mocked and degraded with racist commentary,” he said.
“Racism has no place in our society, and I will continue to call it out whenever it appears.”
