Huon Valley councillor cautioned after Facebook ‘parasite’ slur

Huon Valley councillor Mick Newell is standing by his comments on Facebook calling a resident a “parasite” and a “bloody coward” despite receiving an official code of conduct caution.

Huon Valley councillor Mick Newell has been cautioned about inappropriate comments he made on social media. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

A HUON Valley councillor has been officially cautioned after calling a Lonnavale resident a “parasite” and a “bloody coward” on Facebook.

In a determination to be delivered at a council meeting this Wednesday, a Huon Valley code of conduct panel has deemed Cr Michael Newell’s behaviour involved “a lack of judgment” and used “disrespectful terminology”.

But resident Geoffrey Swan told The Mercury he only wanted an apology, which he didn’t receive.

He lodged a code of conduct complaint in April this year after a “stream” of unfavourable comments about him on Facebook in February this year.

“I simply wanted him to delete his comments and apologise,” he said.

Mr Swan also alleged Cr Newell made disparaging remarks about “feeding peanuts” to people sitting in the public gallery prior to the February 6 council meeting.

The comments came after Mr Swan and his wife raised concerns over potential pollution of the Russell River.

Cr Newell, who is a breakfast radio host on 7HOFM, told a panel hearing that he “was still learning” about the expectations placed on him as a councillor compared to a community member.

He said he did not regret the statements but should have used different words and should not have referred to Mr Swan as a “bloody coward”.

In its written determination, the panel said it was appropriate Cr Newell be cautioned, but said it was not satisfied he understood the Huon Valley Council code of conduct requirements that he “act impartially and in the best interests of the community as a whole”.

“I accept the panel’s ruling but do not regret in any way my comments and will continue to support and stick up for valued members of the community,” Cr Newell told The Mercury.

“In hindsight maybe I could have used different wording, but the meaning would be the same.”

Facebook removed the posts five days after Mr Swan contacted the social media giant.

Mr Swan has also lodged a bullying complaint with the council about a Facebook page called “call out the Huon valleys (sic) biggest whingers”.

He said the page, which had 716 members as of Sunday, targeted him and his wife with “vile abuse” and left them in fear of their safety.