Barry Paull: Former Acting General Manager of Wingecarribee Council pleads not guilty to assault

The former acting general manager of Wingecarribee Shire Council has entered his plea in relation to an alleged assault at a pub after a council meeting.

The matter involving the former acting general manager of Wingecarribee Shire Council has been heard in court for the first time after he was charged with assault folllowing a heated council meeting.

Barry Paull, 58, pleaded not guilty to the charge of common assault in Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday. Although Mr Paull did not appear in person, he and his lawyer dialled into the court to enter the plea.

Police will allege Mr Paull assaulted a 23-year-old journalist in a Moss Vale pub about 6pm on March 9, after a heated council meeting.

Police will allege the assault occurred after the young journalist asked to take a photograph of the group of councillors and council staff who were at the pub after the meeting, but the group refused.

Mr Paull then allegedly grabbed the arm of the journalist and pushed her out of the area. Police confirmed she did not require medical treatment.

Former Acting General Manager at Wingecarribee Shire Council Barry Paull has been charged with assault.

Police undertook a month-long investigation into the alleged assault, taking extra precaution due to the sensitive nature of the issue and the high profile of the alleged assailant.

Multiple witnesses attended the police station to give statements and CCTV footage taken from the venue was reviewed thoroughly.

Mr Paull resigned from his position at Wingecarribee Council on April 7, before the charges were formally laid by police a week and a half later. His resignation signalled a decision by interim administrator Viv May to overhaul the embattled council.

Mr Paull’s departure was the first of many resignations at council since Mr May stepped into his role. The most recent council staff members to leave the organisation are Nick Wilton, group manager of planning, development and regulatory services, and Ian Lacy, general counsel. Both were long-term employees of the council.

A council spokesman said the council acknowledged Mr Paull was working for the council at the time of the assault but declined to comment further as he is no longer an employee.

Council candidate Rachel Russell said bad behaviour in council was unacceptable. She appeared outside the courthouse to protest the ‘toxic’ culture of allowing bad behaviour to continue in council.

Rachel Russell and her ‘Respectful Representation’ ticket outside Moss Vale courthouse protesting toxic council culture.

Along with the other members of her ticket, Ms Russell held signs declaring “Enough is enough” and “We need change” in front of the courthouse in anticipation of Mr Paull’s appearance.

The embattled Wingecarribee Shire Councilhas been making headlines for the past year for its toxic culture and dysfunction. The council was suspended by Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock on March 12 after she acknowledged she continued to have “serious concerns” about council.

The suspension has recently been extended, so councillors will not return to office before the local government elections on September 4.

Mr Paull will reappear in Moss Vale Local Court on July 6.