Bayside Council Liberals face suspension after Arncliffe brawl

THE Bayside Liberal Party branch is facing suspension following a bloody brawl on Monday night.

• Bayside councillors give themselves pay rise
• $24m plan for Botany Aquatic Centre

THE Bayside Liberal Party branch is facing suspension following a bloody brawl on Monday night.

One man was taken to hospital after the fight at the branch meeting at Naji’s Cafe in Arncliffe.

Members of the state executive, which includes representatives of the Prime Minister and NSW Premier, met today and voted 18 to nil to start suspension proceedings against the Bayside Local Government Conference, Fairfax Media has reported.

If the suspension is finalised the branch would be unable to run Liberals for election on Bayside Council.

This man was left bloodied following the brawl. Picture: Twitter/Peter O’Keefe

The branch would also be prevented from holding meetings and raising funds.

As well as the police investigation the state executive has called in workplace violence investigator Terry Flanders to discover the cause of the violence.

The cafe, outside which the brawl took place, is owned by Bayside Liberal councillor Michael Nagi.

Paul Sedrak was one of at least three Bayside councillors at the meeting.

The Southern Courier has contacted Cr Nagi for comment but he has not responded.

Councillor Ron Bezic, Liberal for Bexley ward and Paul Sedrak, Liberal for Port Botany, were also both at the meeting.

The meeting had been called for a vote on a motion lodged by the Earlwood-Kingsgrove Young Liberals to be transferred over to the Bayside group.

Despite the violent scenes the vote was still held after police arrived and the motion was passed without opposition.

Michael Nagi owns the cafe where the meeting was being held.

NSW Liberal Party President Phillip Ruddock told The Australian the allegations were “totally unacceptable” and the perpetrators would be disciplined.

“We are undertaking our own inquiries independently to establish precisely what has happened,” Mr Ruddock said.

“The issues are ones that can be dealt with by way of discipline against people who have behaved inappropriately”.

Police were called to the cafe on Monday evening and one man was taken to hospital.

The Prime Minister also condemned the violent scenes in Parliament.

Witnesses have told of punches being thrown and one man being bashed with tables and chairs as he lay on the ground.

There have been allegations that the fight was sparked by racist comments.

Cr Nagi told media this was not the case.

Councillor Ron Bezic was also present.

For more see Tuesday’s Southern Courier.