Salisbury Mayor Gillian Aldridge receives ‘bullying’ apology from Cr Chad Buchanan
AN Adelaide councillor has publicly apologised for addressing his mayor in an “aggressive tone and manner” during a debate on Holden’s closure.
A SALISBURY councillor has made a public apology after a ruling found he breached the council’s code of conduct which states members should not “bully or harass” staff or elected members.
The Local Government Governance Panel found Cr Chad Buchanan failed to show respect during a debate in January on the closure of the Holden plant.
Mayor Gillian Aldridge and Cr Jana Isemonger lodged complaints following comments made towards the Mayor and governance manager Tami Norman at the January 28 meeting.
The council last week refused to release a full version of the panel’s report, stating it would remain confidential until Cr Buchanan apologised in the chamber.
During the January meeting, Cr Buchanan said he would ask for a vote to block decisions made by the Mayor on “basically every single motion from the agenda ... if I don’t like something or its wording”.
He also asked “who is chairing the meeting, you or the manager of governance?”
Cr Buchanan said he made the remarks because he was frustrated that the Mayor allowed Cr Damien Pilkington to block debate he was trying to lead on a State Government package for Holden workers.
Cr Pilkington had said councillors did not have enough information to vote on the item. Cr Buchanan said he would apologise.
“I respect the decision made by the council and once again I apologise to the Mayor for questioning her ruling that prevented the council debating my motion on the government’s Our Jobs Plan,” Cr Buchanan said.
“I also apologise to the Mayor for the aggressive tone and manner in which I disputed her ruling. I further apologise to the staff member.”
Ms Aldridge said Cr Buchanan’s behaviour was “disrespectful, not only to myself but staff and I want us to work as a team”.
“I believe a public apology will help us all move forward for the benefit of the community and ratepayers,” Ms Aldridge said.
The council last week voted for Cr Buchanan to apologise to Ms Aldridge and Ms Norman at the September 22 council meeting.
Cr Buchanan hoped the incident would not harm his re-election chances.
“One would hope that residents will judge me on outcomes and services ... as opposed to an emotional night at council over the prospect of 15,000 job losses,” he said.