Cr Henry Davis kicked out of Adelaide City Council meeting, leaves Janet Giles feeling unsafe
An Adelaide City councillor’s ‘disrespectful behaviour’ saw him kicked out of a meeting, as another elected member reveals she feels too unsafe to speak around him.
An Adelaide City councillor has been reprimanded for his disrespectful behaviour, as another elected member reveals she feels too “unsafe” around him to speak at meetings.
The meeting last night descended into chaos and resulted in Cr Henry Davis being suspended after a heated debate on the 2025-26 draft budget and future funding allocations.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith at various times of the meeting warned Cr Davis that his behaviour was “disorderly” and to “stop hectoring” others.
Cr Kieran Snape said Cr Davis had acted in an “improper and disorderly manner” and was therefore in breach of regulation 29 – used to reprimand improper behaviour.
Cr Davis gave a personal explanation saying he felt targeted by the Lord Mayor, who was “extremely rude” to other councillors who were not part “of your faction”.
“You are one sided and play favourites with others who gang up and bully other members and you do nothing to stop them,” he told the meeting.
“Yes, I question your leadership, yes, I question your ability to be the presiding member of this council because look at the state we’re in ... you want to shutdown every person who doesn’t agree with you.”
Cr Davis was suspended from the remainder of the meeting.
Cr Janet Giles – who is being sued by Cr Davis for defamation – said she felt unsafe to speak during meetings due to his behaviour.
“You may have noticed I haven’t spoken in recent council meetings partly because I find it incredibly difficult to feel safe to say what I think,” Cr Giles said during the council meeting.
“I do not feel safe with some of the behaviour Cr Davis has displayed over the last few months.”
Cr Mary Couros told the meeting there had been “a lot of passion” and “concern” for ratepayers and businesses, with a new minimum rate of $600 being proposed.
The council had earlier considered the results of the community consultation on the draft budget, which saw 210 submissions mainly about rates, fees and charges, parklands funding and sponsorship for the Australia Day Council.
In response to feedback, the council has progressed $80,000 from this financial year, in addition to the $100,000 in the 2025-26 draft budget, to fulfil the Australia Day Council’s $180,000 funding request for its January 26 events.
It has also funded $30,000 for the City of Adelaide Prize for the Australian Institute of Architects and clarified there would be a $2.6m increase to $25.5m on parklands maintenance.
“Our focus remains on repairing our budget after continued financial pressures that have impacted our ability to renew assets, upgrade infrastructure and provide core community services,” Dr Jane Lomax-Smith said in a statement.
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Originally published as Cr Henry Davis kicked out of Adelaide City Council meeting, leaves Janet Giles feeling unsafe
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