Clarence council infighting over ratepayer-funded Liberal Party breakfast attendance

A war of words has erupted among Clarence council aldermen amid demands of apologies after the mayor attended a Liberal party fundraiser at ratepayers’ expense. READ THE TIT-FOR-TAT >>

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Clarence council aldermen have come to blows over a fiery email and demands of apologies, after the mayor and general manager attended a Liberal party fundraiser at the expense of ratepayers.

At last month’s meeting, Mayor Doug Chipman defended attending the breakfast at Brookfield Shed at Margate in October with general manager Ian Nelson when questioned by Alderman Tony Mulder.

Mr Chipman claimed it was appropriate that aldermen “represent council at the ratepayers’ expense” from time to time.

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman at the Hobart Airport. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Tony Mulder announced that he won't be running in the upcoming state election. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

But at Monday’s council meeting, Mr Chipman revealed he’d since repaid his share.

“In the interest of putting this issue to bed, I have repaid the $45 that was of such a concern to you Alderman Mulder,” Mr Chipman said.

Alderman Brendan Blomeley also attended the function, though out of his own pocket, but Mr Blomeley said Mr Mulder had implied it was at ratepayers’ expense in a series of social media posts.

Mr Mulder said more than a week after the meeting, he’d received a sternly worded email from Mr Blomeley, which he claimed was bullying.

“He claimed ‘my reputation has been besmirched by you in a tawdry attempt to misrepresent the facts. I demand you provide me with an unreserved apology at the next Clarence City Council meeting and failure on your part to provide this public and unreserved apology will force my hand to take further action’,” Mr Mulder said.

“The tone, tenor and hyperbole of this threat is nothing short of bullying and I call it out.”

Mr Mulder refused to apologise.

“My apology is far from unreserved and I now demand Alderman Blomeley either carries through on his threat or provides me with an apology at the next council meeting,” Mr Mulder said.

Mr Blomeley said he was owed an apology and that he’d never used ratepayer funds to attend a political fundraising event.

“That has never been the case,” Mr Blomeley said.

“I ask Alderman Mulder to provide an unreserved apology, he has refused to do so.

“With that in mind I will follow through on what I indicated to Alderman Mulder and take appropriate action to ensure this type of behaviour is called out and the code of conduct system isn’t made a mockery of.“