Litchfield councillor Doug Barden fined $2000 for calling mayor ‘disgrace’ and colleague ‘lying bitch’

A LITCHFIELD councillor has been fined for than $2000 by the Local Government Disciplinary Committee for calling his mayor a ‘disgrace’ and a fellow councillor a ‘lying bitch’

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A LITCHFIELD councillor has been fined for than $2000 by the Local Government Disciplinary Committee for calling his mayor a “disgrace” and a fellow councillor a “lying bitch”.

Councillor Doug Barden was fined at the hearing on July 1 this year after councillor Christine Simpson put forward a number of complaints dating back to a meeting on July 3 last year.

The committee found that during that special meeting, in which council reviewed its draft municipal plan, Mr Barden uttered the words “lying bitch” to Ms Simpson and displayed disrespectful behaviour towards staff.

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Mr Barden also called Mayor Maree Bredhauer a “disgrace” and uttered “and crying won’t help you” at Ms Simpson, incidents for which he was fined $474.

He also sent a text to Ms Simpson saying “Your nothing but a price of S …” and a second message saying “You piece of …”, for which he was fined $1580.

There was also a complaint of an inappropriate media engagement, whereby Mr Barden contacted the NT News regarding the special meeting.

Litchfield councillor Doug Barden has been fined more than $2000 over his actions at a special council meeting on July 3, 2019. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Mr Barden was found to have breached council’s principals to establish a working relationship with fellow members and achieve a team approach in dealing with council matters.

Ms Simpson said she was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to moving on from the incident.

“It’s all finished, the report was finalised and tabled as we were expected to do in council,” she said.

“I am absolutely positive councillor Bardon and myself will continue to work together for the benefit of Litchfield and the residents of Litchfield.”

Litchfield councillor Christine Simpson. Picture: Supplied