Embattled councillor due to apologise misses second meeting in a row

A Kingborough councillor who told a fellow councillor “I will put you on your tail” has missed a second council meeting at which he was meant to apologise.

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UPDATE, Monday May 17, 5.53pm:

Kingborough Councillor David Grace has missed another meeting since he was asked to apologise to Councillor Paula Wriedt for sexist remarks.

Cr Grace was found to breach the Councillors Code of Conduct in a workshop in November when he made remarks about needing a “male IT man” to fix a tech issue, and told Cr Wriedt “I will put you on your tail” when she confronted him over his words.

As part of his breach he was ordered to undertake six hours of anger management and appropriate workplace behaviour counselling.

He was also required by the panel to apologise to both Cr Wriedt and to the Council for causing them embarrassment at a meeting.

But Cr Grace missed the May 3 meeting where he was expected to say sorry and was absent again tonight.

Acting Mayor Jo Westwood was “not quite sure” how to proceed with the item on the agenda which would have seen Cr Grace apologise.

She said Cr Grace had submitted a medical certificate to her earlier that day for his absence.

Kingborough Council general manager Gary Arnold said if Cr Grace did not show up at the next meeting on June 7 there could be repercussions.

Councillor Paula Wriedt is still waiting for an ordered apology from Cr David Grace for threatening to “put her on her tail”. Picture: Eddie Safarik

“The Local Government Act says that the office of Councillor becomes vacant if a Councillor misses three consecutive meetings,” Mr Arnold said.

“If he is unable to attend (on June 7) one would expect that Cr Grace would put in a request for a leave of absence.

“The chair mentioned that earlier today a medical certificate was received; that medical certificate did not accompany a leave of absence.”

Cr Steve Wass proposed a motion at tonight’s meeting that Council lobby the state government to change legislation requiring that if a Councillor is asked to take training, the costs associated with that training are to be borne by the relevant Councillor and not the ratepayer.

He said the motion would incentivise Councillors to do the right thing and avoid a Code of Conduct breach.

“It is really unfair that the ratepayers get to pay the account for something that they had no say and were not even aware occurred,” Cr Wass said.

Kingborough Councillor Steve Wass. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Cr Wriedt supported the motion and said she had not been aware the Council would pick up the tab for Cr Grace’s breach when submitting her complaint.

She said Kingborough Council had a “range of suggestions” for improving the Code of Conduct Panel process.

Cr Flora Fox opposed the motion saying it might prove discriminatory depending on individual Councillors’ ability to pay for their training.

The motion passed with Cr Fox and Cr Gideon Cordover voting against and all others voting in favour.

The 77-year-old Cr Grace had cited a long history of a medical condition for his no-show.

A family spokesman said he was “far from sexist” and re-emphasised that he had dedicated 20 years of his life to the Kingborough community.

“The last thing he wants to do is offend women, but he doesn’t always come across well because he’s old school,” the spokesman said.

EARLIER

Monday May 17, 12.41pm:

Kingborough Councillor David Grace is due to apologise to Councillor Paula Wriedt at tonight’s general meeting.

Cr Grace was found to breach the Councillors Code of Conduct in a workshop in November when he made remarks about needing a “male IT man” to fix a tech issue, and subsequently told Cr Wriedt “I will put you on your tail” when she confronted the sexist tone of his remarks.

Kingborough councillor David Grace. pic Sam Rosewarne

He was due to apologise at a meeting on May 3 but was a no-show, leaving his fellow councillors to express their disappointment.

Cr Grace has not submitted an apology for tonight’s meeting so should be present and he will be invited to address the meeting.

If a councillor misses three meetings in a row without a leave of absence, their seat is vacated.

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