MEDIA STATEMENT: COUNCIL TAKES FIRM STAND
For Immediate Release
“Let’s be clear - this isn’t about shutting down voices. In fact, Kentish Council has been actively engaging with these community representatives on their concerns for over six months,” said Mayor Kate Haberle. “But while we welcome robust discussion, Council has a responsibility to balance the interests of the broader community, uphold respectful conduct, and operate within the limits of its authority.”
The above comments from Mayor Haberle are in response to the disruptive action of persons attending Kentish Council’s July Ordinary Council Meeting.
“While we understand the passion behind the issues that our communities face, when they fall outside Council’s jurisdiction our role is to advocate responsibly - not to override State or Federal processes.
This isn’t about shutting down conversation - it’s about ensuring that it happens respectfully,” said Mayor Haberle.
Members of the public attending Council’s monthly meetings must meet their obligations as detailed in the ‘Responsibilities and Expected Behaviours’ section of Council’s Public Participation and Question Time – Council Meetings policy.
Council has a zero tolerance for aggressive, intimidatory, or violent behaviour towards councillors and staff, including any form of abuse, humiliation or bullying. Council has a duty of care to minimise the risk of such behaviour wherever possible, and while any action to restrict access to Council are not taken lightly, the safety and wellbeing of our elected members, staff, and those attending our Council meetings remains a top priority. Regrettably, Council has had to implement measures to prevent ongoing disruptions to meetings and to protect against further inappropriate and disrespectful conduct.
Last night’s Ordinary Council Meeting was suspended for an hour whilst Tasmania Police assisted Council staff in removing from the Chambers a person who is temporarily not permitted to attend Council meetings.
Mayor Kate Haberle expressed her disappointment in the divisive and disruptive actions of a very small number of individuals - not only locals but antagonists from outside the municipality - whose behaviour has caused distress and disruption. She reaffirmed Kentish Council’s commitment to the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s Lift the Tone Campaign to address the increasing abuse and intimidation faced by elected representatives and Council staff.
“Disruption of our Council meetings prevents the good and important work of Council from occurring. I encourage all Kentish residents to stand against abuse and commit to respectful communication. Toxic behaviour - whether online or in public - hurts individuals, families and our democracy.”
Through its support of the campaign, Kentish Council draws a line in the sand and puts on notice those who deliberately seek to bring our Council into disrepute, and who intentionally set out to cause harm or disrupt the work of those elected or employed in the service of our community.
ENDS