Liberal adviser Simon Behrakis banned from ‘shitposting’ during work hours

A Liberal candidate turned ministerial adviser has been banned from posting on social media during working hours. WHY >>

A Hobart councillor working as a ministerial adviser has been banned from taunting political opponents on social media during working hours after being accused by the Greens of being a taxpayer-funded “shitposter”.

Hobart City Council alderman Simon Behrakis was a Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Clark at the May state election and was subsequently employed as an adviser in the office of Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, Michael Ferguson.

During budget estimates hearings, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor asked about a series of social media posts made by Mr Behrakis during office hours.

The posts included accusing environmental activists from Extinction Rebellion of being “vandals, criminals and all around scumbags” and criticising what he described as anti-development elements on council.

Liberal candidate Simon Behrakis who is locked in a battle with fellow Liberal Madeleine Ogilvie for one of two final seats in Clark. Picture Eddie Safarik

Ms O’Connor said her party often waited weeks or months for responses from Mr Ferguson’s office on matters of public importance.

“Now we find out that Mr Behrakis, on a Crown prerogative contract, is spending a lot of working time shitposting about Hobart City Council,” she said.

“Will you ensure that Mr Behrakis ceases to self‑promote and troll council while he’s working under a Crown prerogative contract?”

After not receiving a response for two weeks, Ms O’Connor has written to Mr Ferguson demanding answers.

“What is your response to evidence Councillor Behrakis is spending taxpayer-funded time that he should be utilising to help our constituents find new homes, instead attacking other Hobart City Council representatives?” she said.

“Will you instruct Mr Behrakis not to engage in this highly politicised conduct during the hours he works for you?”

Among the many internet definitions of shitposting is: “the activity of posting deliberately provocative or off-topic comments on social media”.

Mr Michael Ferguson said Mr Behrakis would no longer post definitions council business during office hours.

Michael Ferguson Liberal member. Parliament activity in Hobart today. Picture Eddie Safarik

“Cassy O’Connor has a proven dislike for Mr Behrakis because he often disagrees with the Green councillors on Hobart City Council.

“As I have previously informed Ms O’Connor, Cr Behrakis is a legitimate staff member and is expected to manage his council interests appropriately.

“The conflict of interest arrangements have been amended to specify that social media publication to his official social media channels is to not occur during usual business hours. “ “This doesn’t change the fact that my staff including Mr Behrakis works for me around the clock and weekends as required.”

Comment was sought from Mr Behrakis.

The then Labor government enjoyed the services of its own professional shitposter during 2010.

The late Dean Parry conducted a long-running “sock puppet” attacks on the media via Facebook.

Mr Parry, who briefly worked in the premier’s media office as a photographer, stole the identity of English record producer Vic Coppersmith-Heaven to pursue a vitriolic campaign against perceived political opponents of the government — mainly The Mercury and cartoonist Jon Kudelka.

He deleted the profile after media inquiries. 

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Originally published as Liberal adviser Simon Behrakis banned from ‘shitposting’ during work hours