Audit and Risk Committee

Whitehorse City Council has established an Audit and Risk Committee (Committee) pursuant to Section 53 of the Local Government Act (Act).

The Committee supports Council to fulfil its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities in the following areas: 

  • financial and performance reporting,
  • risk management,
  • integrity framework, including fraud and corruption prevention systems and controls,
  • maintenance of a sound internal control environment,
  • assurance activities including internal and external audit, and
  • Council’s performance with regard to compliance with its policies and legislative and regulatory requirements.  

The Committee is an advisory committee with no delegated authority or decision-making abilities.

In accordance with the Section 54(1) of the Act, Council must prepare and approve an Audit and Risk Committee Charter ( PDF 196.93KB). The Charter specifies the functions and responsibilities of the Committee including the following:

  1. Monitor the compliance of Council policies and procedures with:
    • The overarching governance principles; and
    • This Act and the regulations and any Ministerial directions.
  2. Monitor Council financial and performance reporting;
  3. Monitor and provide advice on risk management and fraud prevention systems and controls; and
  4. Oversee internal and external audit functions.

The Charter was last reviewed and endorsed by the Committee at the August 2024 meeting, and approved by Council on 9 September 2024.

What does the Committee discuss?

The Committee meets five times a year. The schedule of meetings is developed annually and agreed by members. The scheduled meetings for 2026 are:

  • 4 March
  • 20 May
  • 19 August
  • 16 September
  • 18 November  

Matters commonly discussed at meetings include:

  • internal and external audit reports
  • implementation status of audit recommendations
  • financial and performance statements
  • risk register
  • reports relating to governance, legislative compliance, cyber positioning, financial sustainability and transformation program
  • other reports from Council officers

Committee Members

The Committee comprises five members – two Councillors and three external, independent members, all of whom have full voting rights. The chairperson is an independent member.

Cr Daniel Griffiths and Cr Peter Allan are the appointed Councillor Representatives of the Committee for 2025.

Cr Daniel Griffiths

Cr Peter Allan

Below are our current independent members.

Jonathan Kyvelidis (AICD) (Chair)

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Jonathan joined the Audit and Risk Committee as an independent member in March 2021.

His career includes senior executive positions at the Victorian Auditor General’s Office as Director for the Local Government sector, as well as the Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources sector, the Superannuation and Insurance sector, and the Public Hospitals sector.

Jonathan is also an independent member of the audit and risk committee for Manningham City Council, Darebin City Council, Banyule City Council, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council, Yarra Ranges Shire Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.

Jonathan is a Chartered Accountant, an ASIC registered company auditor and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He holds a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

Binda Gokhale (FCPA, AICD) 

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Binda joined the Audit and Risk Committee as an independent member in October 2022.  An experienced executive and non-executive director, Binda is committed to driving strategic and performance outcomes for organisations through leadership in Corporate Finance, Strategic Planning and Governance.

Binda’s financial and operational experience is supported by directorships and committee roles held with a number of entities across a wide range of sectors. Currently these include Monash City Council, Transport Accident Commission, Melbourne Water, Melbourne Polytechnic, and the Victorian Disability Worker Commission.

She has previously worked at Wyndham City Council and Telstra in senior executive roles.  Binda also currently participates on the Executive Committee of the Victorian Local Government Finance Professionals (FinPro), engaging in policy and professional development.

Binda is a graduate of the Melbourne Business School, a Fellow of CPA and holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University.

Phillip Souter (AICD) 

Phillip joined the Audit and Risk Committee as an independent member in October 2025.

He brings extensive consulting experience in governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity, with a strong track record in supporting executive and board teams on strategy, resilience, and regulatory change. Phillip is recognised for leading transformation initiatives, strengthening control frameworks, and fostering trust in complex organisational environments.

Phillip serves as an independent member of the audit and risk committee for Workways Australia. He is also the Chair of the Information Security Governance Committee for LLL Australia and a member of the ICT Governance Committee for Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

Phillip is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and holds a Bachelor of Computing from La Trobe University.

Contact

Should you require any further information on the Audit & Risk Committee, please do not hesitate to contact the Coordinator Audit & Assurance on 9262 6354.