Hobsons Bay residents concerned about conflict of interest as mayor boots members group

A group of western suburbs residents are concerned their mayor’s control of an online community page has led to people being blocked.

Hobsons Bay Mayor Toby Briffa has been criticised for hosting a community group page that has blocked a number of residents and former councillors. ​

Alarm bells have been raised over an apparent conflict of interest after a group of western suburbs residents claim they were blocked from a community group, administered by the local mayor, after criticising the council.

Hobsons Bay residents are worried about the implications for free speech and the right to stay informed on local issues after a number of them were blocked from a thriving Facebook community group.

The Altona & Seaholme Residents 3018 (& Altona North and Brooklyn) community group has more than 8,700 members and is a forum to discuss local issues and share information.

The Altona & Seaholme community group is very active and hosts almost nine thousands residents.

It is understood the group was founded more than a decade ago by Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa and is administered by Briffa, her wife, and another.

A number of residents, including former councillors and candidates, have spoken with the Herald Sun and claim they were blocked from the page.

It follows a controversial decision last month, revealed by Leader News, that Hobsons Bay City Council implemented attendance restrictions and brought in heavy security at public meetings.

It is understood that none of the current councillors, including co-ward councillor Daria Kellander, are members.

Altona resident Kaylene O’Shea believed she was blocked after being “identified” as a “difficult resident” that asked questions of the council.

“Residents should be allowed to express their views on community related issues as long as they comply with the rules of the group … I have always been respectful and professional in any comments I have made about important local issues,” Ms O’Shea said.

“While a person holds a position of councillor or mayor, they should not be an administrator of community focused residents pages, it is a clear conflict of interest,” she said.

Ms O’Shea noted that while the group’s rules state members will receive a warning about any breaches, she was never notified prior to her removal.

She intends to put a question to the council about the “conflict” at an upcoming meeting.

Former Hobsons Bay mayor Sandra Wilson said she had been evicted and blocked from the group years ago for “no apparent reason”.

“I drew the conclusion that it was to deny my access to community dialogue, and I’m disappointed that it still appears to be happening,” Ms Wilson said.

“People should be assured that a community page is not being used as a political tool by someone who is elected to serve and listen to the community,” she said.

However, Tony Briffa denied members were ever removed for political reasons.

Tony Briffa was elected as mayor for a second time in 2022 after previously serving from 2011-2012.

“I started that group 12 years ago as a way to liaise with the local community about local issues,” Cr Briffa said.

“It’s healthy for discussions about local issues to include a diversity of opinion, and no member has ever been removed from the group for disagreeing with a council policy or with my own view on issues,” she said.

“I have been known to disagree with various council policies over the years too.”

Residents have established alternative community pages on Facebook and have vowed to keep the platform open to respectful debate.