Councillor takes down her “sexist” and “threatening” Game of Thrones-inspired Facebook post
AN Adelaide councillor has removed an image from Facebook — where she adopts the likeness of a Game of Thrones character — after a complaint it was “threatening” and “sexist”.
AN ONKAPARINGA councillor has removed a Facebook post depicting her as a Game of Thrones character after a complaint alleging it was sexist was filed against her.
It is the latest saga in the bitter feud between Mid South Coast Ward Cr Bill Jamieson and Wine Coast Cr Gail Kilby which has already cost ratepayers $20,000.
Cr Jamieson this month complained to Onkaparinga Mayor Lorraine Rosenberg about Cr Kilby’s Facebook post where she photoshopped her face onto Brienne of Tarth.
The lines “all my life men like you’ve sneered at me, and all my life I’ve been knocking men like you into the dust” were placed over the US TV series Game of Thrones character’s face.
The picture was used on Cr Kilby’s personal page as a background photo, and had been replaced as of last week.
Cr Jamieson told the Southern Times Messenger he was considering filing a code of conduct complaint against Cr Kilby.
In an email to Ms Rosenberg, Cr Jamieson said he unfriended Cr Kilby on Facebook for “obvious reasons” because the post was the “most sexist thing I have seen”.
“If I adopted a similar line and replaced men with women in this quote I think even the police may be concerned about my intention and I would be called sexist,” Cr Jamieson said.
“It is threatening, bullying shows complete disrespect for men and as a councillor I am deeply offended and given the bad blood between us am concerned.”
Cr Jamieson will meet with Ms Rosenberg and the council’s chief executive, Mark Dowd, this week.
Ms Rosenberg declined to comment on the complaint, only saying a fresh code of conduct investigation would likely have a price tag of $10,000.
Cr Kilby lodged a complaint against Cr Jamieson in May 2015 for alleged “inappropriate” behaviour at a council meeting.
An investigation cost $10,000, finding Cr Jamieson had bullied and harassed his fellow councillor.
Six months later, Cr Jamieson filed a complaint against Cr Kilby for offending him in a “personal statement” at a council meeting.
A full investigation cost a further $10,000 and law firm Minter Ellison found Cr Kilby did not show “respect for others if making comments publicly”.
The official Game of Thrones website describes Brienne of Tarth, portrayed by English actress Gwendoline Christie, as a “highborn lady who would rather be a knight”.
Cr Kilby did not respond to Southern Times Messenger questions before deadline.