Louise Elliot referred to Integrity Commission by council after email legal warning

A Hobart City Council meeting resembled Survivor’s tribal council on Monday, when elected members voted to refer one of their own to the Integrity Commission. They say an email, which includes talk of legal action, needs to be investigated.

City of Hobart Councillor Louise Elliot. Picture: Chris Kidd

A discussion about inclusion and gender has escalated to a Hobart City Councillor indicating the possibility of legal action against fellow elected members, and subsequently being referred to the integrity commission and director of local government.

The saga began after Louise Elliot took to social media, criticising a council workshop on gender as ‘re-education’ which was ‘imposed’ on her.

It was an assertion considered disrespectful by deputy mayor Helen Burnet, who flagged she would move a motion during the council’s Monday meeting that Ms Elliot’s social media commentary be referred to Tasmania’s local government director for consideration.

“We had a workshop recently on inclusion and gender diversity, there were some posts from Cr Elliot after that on social media which could constitute a breach of either the code, the local government act, the antidiscrimination act,” Ms Burnet said during Monday’s meeting.

“We have an obligation to our community and the general public to treat others in a respectful way.

Hobart City Council Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But ahead of the motion, Ms Elliot sent an email to elected members.

“I want to flag with you that I view the submission of the motion by Cr Burnet as further bullying behaviour towards me,” Ms Elliot sent on Thursday.

“I am taking legal and other action given the persistent, ongoing and highly distressing bullying I am experiencing from some elected members and officer [sic]. I have already advised the Minister.

“Elected Members who chose to actively or passively engaged with Cr Burnet’s bullying motion may be viewed as contributing to/complicit with workplace bullying.”

When Ms Burnet’s motion was discussed on Monday, Cr Ben Lohberger said Ms Elliot email to elected members should also be sent to the local government director, along with the integrity commission.

“I must say I was very upset about the email I received,” Mr Lohberger said on Monday.

City of Hobart Councillors, Ben Lohberger. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The content of that email is of such a serious nature that it needs to be investigated by the director of local government specifically,” Cr Ryan Posselt said.

Ald Simon Behrakis said the motion was “redundant”.

“We have procedures, if the deputy mayor or anyone around this table thinks an elected member has breached the code of conduct, all they have to do is put in a complaint … The council doesn’t refer a member to the code of conduct.”

The amendment was accepted and the motion was passed.

On Tuesday Ms Elliot told the Mercury she stood by her email.

“Last night’s personal attack on me served no decent purpose other than to provide those who enjoy persecuting me in a group setting with the opportunity to do,’ she said.

“As the motion was about me, I wasn’t even able to defend myself as I had a conflict.”

Ms Burnet said the intent of her motion was to reaffirm the council’s commitment to community respect.

“At the end of the day this motion was about respectful behaviour,” Ms Burnet said.

“Our community is deserving of good behaviour, our colleagues are deserving of good behaviour.”