Police investigate altercation involving Wingecarribee Council staffer

Police are investigating an incident in which a senior council staffer allegedly pulled a young journalist from a pub.

The Moss Vale Hotel.

Police are investigating an incident in which a senior staffer for a Southern Highlands council allegedly manhandled a junior reporter at a pub.

Witnesses who have spoken to The Daily Telegraph claim they saw Wingecarribee Shire Council Acting General Manager Barry Paull pull Southern Highlands Express journalist Madeleine Achenza by the arm out of the Moss Vale Hotel.

The incident occurred around 6pm on Tuesday following an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday night.

Southern Highlands Express Editor Jane King told The Daily Telegraph her 23-year-old employee was shaken by the event.

“This should not be an occupational hazard for journalists. We’re talking about an acting general manager of a council behaving like this,” she said.

“Councillors and staff usually go to the Moss Vale Hotel for dinner after meetings. I said (to Madeline) if you go there the protocol is to remain 1.5m away from the person you’re speaking to or photographing.

“I told her that when she goes to the pub she should introduce herself, say that it had been a big few days for everyone, or something to that effect, and ask for a photo.”

Southern Highlands Express journalist Madeleine Achenza.

“I’m a little shaken. I did not expect something like that to happen,” she said.

Acting General Manager Barry Paul has been contacted for comment.

An NSW Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the incident.

“About 6pm yesterday, a 23-year-old woman attended a licensed venue on Argyle St Moss Vale. She spoke to a group of people who are known to her. Police have been told a male member of the group allegedly assaulted her, she did not require medical treatment,” he said.

“Officers from Hume District district were notified and commenced investigations surrounding the incident as part of their inquiries police have spoken to a 58-year-old man and investigations are continuing.”

Bowral builder Paul Samulski, 38, said he saw the acting general manager act aggressively.

“Basically Barry Paull jumped up and there was a bit of a commotion, he went up and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of this back room of the pub. She had barely even walked into the room they were sitting in,” he said.

“Another bloke started yelling at Barry telling him to get his hands off her. I shouted out to him and told him to come and try and push me out.

“She was really shocked, she is a small woman and you don’t expect a grown man to act like that. She rang her boss and spoke to police last night.”

Another witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said the acting general manager’s behaviour was hostile.

“I saw him rise to his feet. I could tell from his body language that he was aggressive,” he said.

“He tried to grab her camera and kind of pushed her. I said ‘let her go you f**king weak prick” and she was shepherded out the door.”.

A Wingecarribee Shire Council spokesman said the matter occurred after hours and police were investigating.

The council has not been without controversy.

It has been put on notice by the office of local government with the entire council facing suspension after ongoing complaints.

The Daily Telegraph revealed that they had been preparing to slug bushfire victims with council fees if they wanted to rebuild on their property.