Maribyrnong councillor king hit over Yarraville paid parking vote

ANGRY traders have gone to war with local councillors over a $1.80 an-hour parking issue as the Andrews Government warned that council meetings should not become punching rings. VIDEO

ANGRY traders have gone to war with local councillors over a $1.80 an-hour parking issue as the Andrews Government warned that council meetings should not become punching rings.

A 61-year-old man has been charged after two councillors were physically attacked at Tuesday night’s Maribyrnong Council meeting to debate parking meters, which Yarraville traders blame for business falling by up to 50 per cent.

Cr Grant Miles was king hit while sat in his chair by a member of the public after he and two other councillors voted against a motion to repeal paid parking.

A second councillor, Nam Quach, was picked up and “body slammed” to the floor and kicked, leaving him dazed and nursing a cut lip.

A shaken Cr Quach, who was recovering from his injuries at home told the Herald Sun he would speak to the police before deciding whether to press charges.

“I remember my glasses got broken and I’ve got a sore neck, luckily no serious damage was done as it could have been much worse,” he said.

“You don’t expect a debate on $1.80 an-hour parking meters to turn into violence.”

Despite the shopping strip being only half-full at peak times — the council said it would refuse to bow to thuggery and would keep the parking meters.

Mayor Cameron McDonald, Cr Nam Quach and Cr Michael Clarke during the fiery council meeting.

A moment during the fiery council meeting.

Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins said she was appalled by the punch-up.

“Those residents need to take their issues up at the ballot box, not in a punching ring, (they) have completely lost the message through their act of violence.” she said.

Maribyrnong mayor Cr Cameron McDonald also condemned the behaviour as deputy mayor Catherine Cumming, who abstained from the vote, was taken to task by angry traders as she had a coffee at Yarraville.

“Just because I was elected on to council, people don’t have the right to scream and yell at me, or have the right to punch other councillors and pick them up and slam their heads into the ground,” she said.

Yarraville resident Louise Beach said she could fully understand why a trader would be driven to violence.

“When you get one person in a position of power (Cr Miles) who smirks at you, I can comprehend why someone would be driven to that,” Ms Beach said.

Councillor Nam Quach. Picture: Sarah Matray

Councillor Grant Miles. Picture: Kris Reichl

Municipal Association of Victoria President, Cr Bill McArthur, described the violence as “very disappointing.”

A Yarraville man, 61, handed himself in at Footscray Police Station.

He was charged with one count of recklessly causing injury and two counts of unlawful assault.

He was released on bail to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 28.

A second man, a 28-year-old from Mount Waverley, was interviewed at the scene on Tuesday but has not been charged.

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