Parramatta councillor Benjamin Barrak apologises calling mayor a clown
A western Sydney councillor has attended his first meeting in seven months without being ejected.
Parramatta
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A strange thing happened at Parramatta Council’s meeting when rebel councillor Benjamin Barrak was not expelled from the chamber for the first time in seven months.
After partially winning his appeal against the council in the Supreme Court last week, the Liberal representative followed court orders to apologise for calling Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson a clown during the February 20 meeting.
He was subsequently ejected from 15 other meetings.
He also complained about a resolution made by the council requiring him to return confidential papers which passed until he left the February 20 meeting.
Cr Barrak launched legal action in April. Last week, the court found Cr Barrak was only required to apologise for calling Cr Wilson a clown but not for three other matters.
“I’m very happy that the court of appeal gave some clarity as to what things I should apologise for,’’ Cr Barrak said after last night’s meeting.
“Last night was the first opportunity for me to apologise for use of the word clown because they (the council) wanted me to apologies for four things ...”.
After the judges’ orders were deciphered at the council meeting Cr Wilson welcomed back Cr Barrak.
Following the meeting, he said the matter should not have gone to court but congratulated Cr Barrak.
“He shouldn’t be going through this but he exhausted the democratic avenues and I want to congratulate him.”
The council would not comment on how much it had spent on legal fees.
“Council is still awaiting invoices from solicitors regarding this matter and is unable to provide a figure at this time,’’ a spokeswoman said.
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