Hobsons Bay council will not be moving to online meetings at this stage, despite a rise in the number of councils facing protests from fringe groups during council meetings
On Wednesday, Aprill 26, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said it supported councils in their decisions to move meetings online.
Last month, Monash council was forced to suspend temporarily suspend its council meeting after protestors opposing an upcoming drag story time hurled abuse at councillors, while Yarra Ranges council announced it would close its public gallery after what it described as an “increasing pattern of abuse” and “intimidation” from attendees at meetings this year.
The MAV said the ongoing threatening behaviour has no place in communities let alone in council chambers.
“Councils are right to take a zero tolerance approach, as the people most at risk are other community members who are in the gallery with the disruptive people,” it said.
“We expect any council in the situation of having to close their public gallery will regularly review this and seek to return to in person galleries at council meetings as soon as it is safe to do so.”.
Hobosons Bay mayor Tony Briffa said that at this stage, there is no need for council meetings to move solely online.
“Council is aware that several Victorian councils have opted to move to online meetings due to ongoing disruptions by protesters and genuine safety concerns. Fortunately, Hobsons Bay has not been subjected to these disruptions so far,” she said.
“Council strongly believes the community should be able to participate in council meetings; ideally in person. We are not intending to move to live-streamed online meetings unless a serious concern for the safety of the public, council staff and councillors becomes apparent,” she said.
he MAV said the councils that have decided to move their meetings online run virtually the same.
Maribyrnong council chief executive Celia Haddock said like Hobsons Bay, they are aware of the situation at other councils.
“Council has measures in place to manage safety at meetings. We will continue to monitor this situation and take appropriate measures where required,” she said.
Jennifer Pittorino
