Yarra Council backs down on move to censor councillors

A Greens-led council’s move to ban councillors from speaking publicly without permission and censor “criticism” has been dumped.

Controversial Greens-led Yarra Council has backed down on moves to censor all criticism and ban councillors from speaking publicly without express permission.

The mooted changes to the council’s code of conduct, compared to a North Korea-style gag order, sparked widespread community outrage after being revealed by the Herald Sun last week.

It was feared that under the original proposal councillors would have been stopped from engaging in meaningful debate about council plans or decisions.

Ahead of a vote on Tuesday, mayor Sophie Wade moved a series of amendments that removed the most controversial aspects of the proposal.

Specifically, a provision banning councillors from criticising a council decision, procedure or policy, was removed.

A further provision that required councillors to refer media queries to the council’s Communications and Engagement Branch “to ensure accurate, consistent, and clear messaging” was dumped.

Greens candidate for Yarra Sophie Wade. Facebook.

Councillor Stephen Jolly vehemently opposed the original proposal. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Independent Councillor Stephen Jolly, who vehemently opposed the original proposal, said the back down was a win for democracy.

“We didn’t really need to go down this way,” he said.

“What we’re doing now is passing a new code of conduct … in some areas it’s been improved. It stops an attack on democratic rights of councillors.”

Since becoming the first Greens-dominated council elected in Australia in 2020, the council has sparked controversy over a range of issues.

They included a “cash grab” on struggling local businesses and controversy surrounding rubbish collection.

The council has also come under fire for flying the little known “aromantic” flag above council buildings, while Greens councillor Anab Mohamud was charged with bashing a trans woman.

The performance of the council was considered so poor a municipal monitor was appointed to manage the administration.