Campbelltown councillors move to stop Mayor Simon Brewer from criticising decisions on social media

AN Adelaide council fed up with its mayor criticising its decisions on social media has forced him to temper his comments and delete a Facebook post.

CAMPBELLTOWN has moved to gag its Mayor from publicly criticising any council decisions, particularly on social media.

But Mayor Simon Brewer has hit back, saying he will not be silenced but will temper his comments in future.

The council last week narrowly voted for Mr Brewer to make a written apology over comments he made on his Mayoral Facebook page in June criticising a decision to lift rates by 3.9 per cent in 2015/16.

Councillors also demanded Mr Brewer cease using “provocative” language when commenting on council issues, remove the words “Your Mayor” from his Facebook page and delete the offending Facebook post.

In the post, Mr Brewer claimed councillors made no effort to rein in spending to reduce rates.

He also labelled some projects in the 2015/16 draft budget as “bad jokes”.

Last week’s move came after an external investigation, which cost more than $3000, found Mr Brewer had breached a section of the council’s Code of Conduct – which required councillors to show respect for others if making comments publicly.

Speaking at last week’s meeting, Cr Anna Leombruno said the council was not trying to gag Mr Brewer, but wanted to increase cohesiveness.

“It’s sad and unfortunate we are having this discussion … (it’s) not about silencing or gagging someone,” Cr Leombruno said.

“(But) it’s totally unacceptable when you cross the line and become insulting, offensive and critical.

“To be efficient we need to work together, not apart.”

The mayor’s Facebook post.

Cr Matthew Noble, also a vocal opponent of the 2015/16 rates rise, disagreed.

“I think it’s a witch hunt and it’s my opinion you are trying to gag debate,” Cr Noble told the meeting.

“I’m disgusted some councillors have chosen to go down this pathway.”

Deputy Mayor Marikja Ryan, who lodged the Code of Conduct complaint, and Mr Brewer had to leave the meeting during the debate.

Mr Brewer did not return to the chamber after the discussion.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Brewer said he would “continue to criticise” what he considered bad decisions.

He refused to remove the words “Your Mayor” from his Facebook page but said he would temper his language.

“I will not be altering my Facebook page in any way, but I will, of course, be more careful with my choice of language if I criticise (the) council decisions in future,” Mr Brewer said.

Cr Ryan was pleased with the council’s decision.

“I hope in the future he can work with the council and provide the leadership everyone expects from a person in his position,” Cr Ryan said.

Councillors Noble and James Nenke voted against the recommendation; councillors Anna Leombruno, Neville Grigg and Max Amber were for. Cr Jill Whittaker chaired the debated and, as such, did not vote.

Cr Rob Tidd, who has also spoken out against the most recent rates rise, left the chamber and did not vote.

Cr John Kennedy was absent from the meeting.