Yarra Council moves to censor councillors from speaking publicly without permission

A Greens-led council’s move to ban councillors from speaking publicly without permission and censor “criticism” has been slammed as similar to a North Korean gag order.

A Greens-led council has moved to censor all criticism and ban councillors from speaking publicly without ­ permission.

The move – which has been compared by some ratepayers to the actions of North Korea’s ruler – aims to stop City of Yarra councillors undermining council decisions and ban “criticism” or “misleading” comments via official or personal social media accounts.

The crackdown on dissent sparked immediate outrage after it was made public on Thursday.

It is feared that under the proposal, to be voted on at a council meeting next week, councillors would be stopped from engaging in debate about plans or decisions.

“Telling elected community representatives they can’t share their own views is what happens in North Korea,” a spokesman for the Yarra Residents Collective said.

“Now they are trying to bring a bit of Kim Jong-un to the Richmond Town Hall.

“This is a Greens council that has a track record of bad policy, and now they want to censor anyone that highlights their failures.

Independent Councillor Stephen Jolly said the move would stifle valid public debate over Council policies. Picture: Alex Coppel

“In Australia, we have a constitutional right to freedom of political expression, and this is a horrific attack on Australian values. This council is so inwardly focused that they are now wanting to suppress criticism. You would never expect it in a first-world democracy.”

The motion says the move is not “intended to limit, restrict or detract from robust public debate in a democracy”.

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.

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.

Independent councillor ­Stephen Jolly said: “This outrageous gag order is an ­attempt to ban democracy in the city of Yarra.

“We have to fight this. We won’t be silenced from speaking up for residents when the council steps out of line.”

A council spokesman said the proposal had been ­developed by councillors with guidance from senior staff and Yarra’s municipal monitor.