Community leaders brand meeting tactics by Mayor Tom Tate ‘un-Australian’ after ‘sit down’ order

Mayor Tom Tate is accused of being ‘un-Australian’ and ‘muffling’ debate after ordering councillor who was raising a motion to “sit down” during a heated debate. SEE THE VIDEO

Critics accused Mayor Tom Tate of being “un-Australian” and “muffling” debate after a full council meeting where he silenced two councillors and told them “sit down”.

Veteran environmentalists Sally Spain and Lois Levy, in the Evandale gallery, were stunned at Mayor Tate stopping councillor Peter Young and then councillor Glenn Tozer speaking.

Ms Spain and Ms Levy claim to them it looked like he was acting like a “dictator”.

Mr Tate was putting on record his reprimand of Mr Young for leaving an earlier meeting without permission of the chair.

Mr Young had stormed out of a previous full council meeting at the start of a keys to the city ceremony for developer Harry Triguboff, describing the packed chamber as “a circus”.

Later outside Tuesday’s marathon full council meeting, Mr Tate said he had no complaint about Mr Young but was required, as chair, to follow up because the councillor had not followed meeting rules.

On Mr Tozer being sat down, he replied: “There was no debate. I followed procedure.”

When Mr Tate noted the matter be recorded in the minutes, tensions had sparked.

“Question,” Mr Young asked the Mayor. “No question,” the Mayor replied.

“Statement,” Mr Young said. “No statement,” Mr Tate replied.

Mr Tozer then attempted to “overturn the Mayor’s orders”.

“I’d like to overturn your orders, Mr Mayor. It’s a procedural motion, Mr Mayor. Unfortunately you have to take it.”

Mr Tate told him: “I’m not taking it. Sit down please.”

Wildlife Queensland Gold Coast Branch president Sally Spain said ratepayers expected the Mayor to offer “courtesy and correct hearing” to elected representatives.

Mayor Tom Tate has been accused of being “un-Australian” and “muffling” debate after a flashpoint moment at a full council meeting where he silenced and sat down two councillors

Mayor Tom Tate has been accused of being “un-Australian” and “muffling” debate after a flashpoint moment at a full council meeting where he silenced and sat down two councillors.,

“Peter Young had his hand up to explain the circumstances and was not allowed to speak. Councillor Tozer who put his hand up to allow Councillor Young was shut down in what the community groups consider to be an extremely discourteous and abrupt manner,” she said.

Ms Spain said Mr Tozer was told to sit down “like he was in a classroom”.

“This is un-Australian, felt by the community groups to muffle debate and muffle explanation, whereas we were hoping to have some clarification on it,” she said.

“That seems un-Australian, undemocratic. We have 15 elected, not one. Although one is to guide their little footsteps, nevertheless he doesn’t have sole power, it is not a dictatorship.”

Flashback — the 2016-2020 Gold Coast City Council being sworn in at the Evandale Council Chambers. Councillor Peter Young and Tom Tate. Photo: Jerad Williams.

Gecko campaigner Lois Levy said Mr Young was a senior councillor of 12 years and should have the opportunity to explain why he left the meeting.

“He was denied it. We don’t believe that’s reasonable procedure in a council meeting.”

Flashback — mayoral rivals, at an Urban Development Institute of Australia (QLD) Gold Coast and Logan Branch debate held at the Hilton Surfers Paradise - Tom Tate, Peter Young and Dean Vegas.

Some councillors believe the Mayor should have allowed Mr Tozer to speak, given he was attempting to ensure Mr Young had right of reply.

Mr Young emailed the Mayor to confirm on entering the chamber before the keys to the city event he said the “situation was a circus”.

He had asked a staffer if non-protesting ratepayers – there was a rally outside – could enter to observe the meeting and was informed they could not.

“It is my long-held belief meetings of the City of Gold Coast are open to the public provided the business being dealt with is not confidential and the persons are not protesting or possessing or displaying signs,” Mr Young wrote.

On entering the chamber he noticed 20 seats which was not “normal practice” in his 20 years.

“I referred to it as a circus as I entered the chamber, before the meeting, when I expressed my thoughts to fellow councillors. I am entitled to my opinion, and to express it.”

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Originally published as Community leaders brand meeting tactics by Mayor Tom Tate ‘un-Australian’ after ‘sit down’ order