Deputy Lord Mayor leads sexism, homophobia motion as council infighting ramps up
A motion that sexism and homophobia are never acceptable in any workplace, including at Newcastle City Hall or in council chambers, has been supported by all councillors except the Independents.
Newcastle
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A motion against sexism and homophobia in the workplace became a contentious issue at Tuesday’s City of Newcastle council meeting, as infighting between councillors continues to erupt.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen led the motion which noted that sexism and homophobia were never acceptable in any workplace, including at City Hall or in the council chambers during meetings, reiterating commitment to equality.
It noted new model codes restricted the use of censure provisions and called for City of Newcastle employees to condemn language and behaviour that is sexist and homophobic, including recent comments from councillor Allan Robinson.
While the motion was supported by a majority of Councillors last night, four Independent Councillors, including Cr. Robinson, walked out in disgust, refusing to vote.
The Independents have hit back saying an amended motion they were supposed to vote on had been sneakily changed to include an ‘offending paragraph’ which would open them up to code of conduct breaches and potentially legal consequences.
That’s sparked outrage from Labour and Greens councillors, the move labelled a ‘cop out’ which ‘showed a lack of leadership’.
WHAT THE DEPUTY MAYOR DECLAN CLAUSEN HAD TO SAY:
Cr. Clausen said the motion followed some disgusting behaviour from Cr. Robinson, which included labelling him as a f**king poof and making comments about a female councillors’ appearance.
The Independent Councillor has also been in hot water for other comments made to fellow Councillors, including labelling the Lord Mayor ‘vicious’ and ‘vindictive’.
“The notice of motion included a letter from the United Service Union which represents City of Newcastle employees, and identified that if similar language was to be used by one of the council’s 1200 employees, rather than one of the councillors, that employee would be subject to severe disciplinary action including termination of employment,” Cr Clausen explained.
“As an elected councillor, Cr. Robinson is protected in a sense and hasn’t been held to account for his disgusting, sexist, misogynistic and homophobic statements.
“The motion makes absolutely clear that the City of Newcastle believes sexism and homophobia isn’t appropriate in any workplace.
“It just highlights that there is one set of rules for employees, but for whatever reason, Councillors don’t have to comply with the same expectations.”
Cr. Clausen scoffed at the four Independent Councillors who decided to leave the room during the vote and said it calls into question their lack of leadership.
“There is no provision under our meeting practice for a councillor to abstain from a vote unless they have a conflict of interest,” he said.
“There’s no provision for councillors just to get up and leave the meeting room, this is massive cop out.
“We sought advice during the meeting and there was no awareness of any litigation in relation to this matter. It is bullsh**.”
WHAT INDEPENDENT JOHN CHURCH HAD TO SAY:
The Independent Councillor noted he was put in a difficult position when the motion came up.
Cr Church said they were meant to be debating an amended motion which had deleted an offending paragraph condemning Cr Robinson, but instead an alternate motion was put forward, which saw the offending paragraph put back in.
“I wasn’t going to support something that would leave council to be exposed to litigation, and I wasn’t going to breach the code of conduct,” he said.
“Labor and the Greens were very tricky and sneaky which I believe included this offending paragraph, which would open the council up to potential legal consequences that could be very expensive and unnecessary and I wasn’t prepared to vote on that.
“If I voted no, I would have been agreeing to sexism and homophobia and clearly they are never acceptable in any place. I agree with that 100 per cent.”
He’s called out the Labor and Greens Councillors for their ‘breath taking’ hypocrisy, saying some months back they didn’t highlight harassment and bullying which existed in the chamber.
“Last year the Lord Mayor called Councillor Kate Elliott and described her as a ‘dead carcass swinging in the breeze waiting to be cut down’, that was in a formal council meeting and I believe that language was completely inappropriate,” Cr. Church added.
“Earlier this year at a closed strategic planning session, in a room full of only councillors and senior staff, my name and the word F-wit was broadcast on a presentation scene.
“Again that’s inappropriate use of language, name calling and not the sort of thing you would expect in the workplace.
“What I find concerning is that neither the United Services Union nor the Labour councillors, the Lord Mayor or the CEO thought it was worth noting or bringing to the peoples attention this matter. They have been running a purely political campaign trying to smear fellow councillors.
“Councillor Clausen has not been running this as a principle but as a political campaign to try and smear the good name of the Newcastle independents and blinded by this desire to get Cr. Robinson to resign and that is in breach of the code of conduct.”
Cr. Church is calling for the ‘toxic environment’ of council to be fixed, because it was detrimental to taxpayers.
“I just want to to put this behind us and get on with focusing on the ratepayers and delivering the services they expect from us.”
LETTER FROM UNITED SERVICES UNION:
Last month the United Services Union sent a letter to Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes saying there had been significant discussion by members regarding the recent conduct and comments from Cr. Robinson.
It read, Cr. Robinson’s alleged homophobic and sexist comments have been covered by national media and mostly likely damage the City of Newcastle’s reputation and standing within an increasingly diverse community.
The USU is proud to represent a diverse City of Newcastle workplace and has historically been supportive of the actions taken by council to demonstrate its commitment to equality.
This is also congruent with principles and endeavours the USU has strived to engage in a positive and successful industrial relationships with the council and the wider community.