City of Greater Geelong council meeting coverage cut over workplace safety issues

Screens went blank after the decision was made to kick out the entire crowd at City of Greater Geelong’s council meeting on Tuesday night – the reason can now be revealed.

Screens went blank after the live stream of Geelong council’s meeting on Tuesday night was cut due to safety concerns.

The live stream of Tuesday night’s fiery council meeting was cut over fears of inflaming an already volatile situation.

Five minutes into the January 26 debate and almost an hour into the meeting, Mayor Stretch Kontelj called an adjournment as opposing groups shouted at councillors and each other.

At that point the online stream was cut, as is standard practice.

The live feed did not return after councillors did and the reason given was that ongoing coverage of the meeting could have heightened tension among a crowd that gathered on the footsteps of City Hall, where some argued and others chanted.

This, in turn, could have threatened the safe departure of councillors and city officers.

Legislation dictates that the workplace safety is paramount.

A recording of both the first and second part of the meeting was posted on council’s website on Wednesday morning.

The crowd prior to being kicked out.

Theories ran wild online after the stream was cut, with some claiming it was an attack on democracy, while others said it was to hide the mayor’s inability to manage the meeting.

Originally published as City of Greater Geelong council meeting coverage cut over workplace safety issues