Mornington Peninsula council staff ‘verbally, physically assaulted’ during budget cuts protest
An ugly incident has led to new rules for attending council meetings as Mornington Peninsula Shire faces more community protests over budget cuts.
South East
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Security is being tightened after Mornington Peninsula Shire staff were allegedly assaulted during ongoing protests about budget cuts.
Mornington Peninsula Shire chief executive officer Mark confirmed two council officers were “verbally and physically assaulted” at the May 20 council meeting.
Following the incident in the foyer of the Rosebud council offices new security measures were introduced requiring those attending council meetings to register online ahead of time.
Attendees must provide their full name, phone number and email address and check in with security before entering the chamber.
The move has frustrated protesters who said it was a bid to “silence” community debate about cuts to funding for the arts, climate action and Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association.
Flinders Fringe executive producer Claire Thorn was at the “peaceful protest” outside the council offices on May 20 and later attended the meeting but wasn’t aware of the assault that followed.
“Any incident involving staff and protesters would not have been intentional,” she said.
“There was a large and enthusiastic crowd in the foyer, all trying to get into the meeting through a narrow space.”
Ms Thom said there was a police presence outside the council offices before the June 3 meeting and protesters were prevented from entering the council offices.
She has registered for Tuesday night’s council meeting and also planned to protest outside before.
“We’re not going to stop,” she said.
“Not enough consideration has been given to what’s at stake.”
Mr Marsh said the new security protocols were the responsibility of the chief executive, but he supported the move.
He said meeting registrations were not designed to “stifle” protesters and were “hopefully temporary”.
“The protesters are welcome to gather outside the council offices with their signs and songs,” he said.
“I’m not blaming the masses for the actions of the a few.
“But we need to ensure the chamber is a safe environment for staff, councillors and the community.”
He said community members attending recent meetings for agenda items not related to the protests had complained about feeling intimated.
Hundreds of protesters have been gathering outside the council offices before meetings since the council voted to scrap $160,000 in climate grants and $350,000 in subsidies to individual creatives.
A $100,000 grant to Willum Warrain to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion was also removed form the draft budget.
It is not uncommon for councils to require residents to register to attend a meeting.
The same practice is in place for Casey, Darebin, Glen Eira, Hobsons Bay, Yarra Ranges councils.
Some councils, such as Brimbank, also ask attendees to show photo ID before being admitted.
Tuesday’s Mornington Peninsula Shire budget meeting will be streamed live in an overflow room so community members who miss out on a seat in the gallery can watch proceedings.