David Penman wasn’t happy with his local Victorian council. So, he privately prosecuted five councillors

<p>Legal action by the Daylesford small business owner has forced councillors to stand down – leaving only two able to serve</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>David Penman wasn’t happy.</p><p>The Daylesford small business owner didn’t like the work of his local council. So, using little-known laws that force elected officials to stand down, he essentially stopped it from making any big decisions.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/14/hepburn-shire-council-daylesford-victoria-legal-action-against-local-councillors">Continue reading...</a>