A failed bid to review protections for local government representatives in the wake of an attack against a Federal MP has been slammed as “insensitive”.
Independent Federal MP Dr Helen Haines was struck twice by a car in an alleged road-rage incident, resulting in the amputation of both her legs, on October 19.
At its meeting the following night, the City of Melville unanimously voted to extend its sympathies to Dr Haines and her family, and condemn online bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation and violence against council members, election candidates, staff and their families.
But it voted 6-7 against asking the WA Local Government Association to push for a co-ordinated response to these behaviours and identify gaps in existing protections that need action by either local, State or Federal governments.
The proposals were presented without notice by Cr Karen Wheatland. The council voted 9-4 to hear them at that meeting.
Cr Wheatland said it was “mind-blowing” someone in public office could be subject to the level of violence experienced by Dr Haines.
She had wanted the WALGA review to pay particular attention to gender-based abuse.
She said as national vice-president of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, she had heard complaints from women about bullying and intimidation.
“At our recent conference, we’ve heard a woman was targeted with a Molotov cocktail in regional NSW,” Cr Wheatland said.
“When I was the president of the WA sector of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association, we had a councillor who was getting stalked by a resident. Stalked to the point that she had a VRO against him for months to the point that she left the sector.
“Recently, I was told to go kill myself, to resign, you dumb fat beep, and many other vile accusations from a survey that I put out there.
“It shouldn’t be us as individuals ... trying to come up with answers to protect ourselves and our families and our communities from online abuse.
“Nobody should have to accept threats or intimidation as the price of serving their community.”
Cr Jennifer Spanbroek asked what evidence there was that existing laws and protection were inadequate and how legitimate criticism would not be construed as bullying or harassment.
She believed Cr Wheatland’s proposal to WALGA was outside of its realm.
“We are getting so far beyond what we are here for: roads, rates, and rubbish,” Cr Spanbroek said.
“(This) was just obviously an off-the cuff thought bubble.
“I’m not really sure what the reason for it other than it was taking advantage on the horrific attack on Dr Helen Haines, and I think that is actually really quite distressing and quite insensitive.”
Cr Wheatland said it was “definitely not a thought bubble”.
“I’ve been reporting psychosocial harm to the city for the past three years in relation to behaviour within the council, within the community,” she said.
“The reason why this came about, this morning it hit me that this Federal MP was hurt so badly she’s nearly died. How is that acceptable? When are we going to draw a line in the sand and say, you know what, the buck stops here?”
Deputy mayor Matthew Woodall said the council needed more time to consider going to WALGA.
“I think WALGA have taken a view that might be described as somewhat authoritarian in trying to limit to an extent what the community can say about elected members and staff for that matter, and I think we need to be very careful about crossing the line,” he said.
“Yes, we do receive comments that are inappropriate and nasty and all that sort of thing, and I think part of our role is not to give those people oxygen and not to respond to that.
“What does concern me, and I hear the comments State and Federal about lowering the temperature and condemning political violence and talking about taking the heat out of political discourse, and there’s reference to social media and whatnot, which I understand, but I think we also need to identify the fact that State and Federal politicians shoulder some of the responsibility for the level of public discourse.
“We see question time and it would not be tolerated in any other workplace in this country ... there’s some absolutely disgraceful behaviour.”
Cr Daniel Lim said there needed to be a collective effort to say this behaviour was not accepted and the proposal was not insensitive.
“We’re always saying our governments are always taking too long, but I feel that if we’re representing the community we should be quick to act to say this is not tolerated,” he said.
Cr Scott Green said intimidation and violence was not necessarily just against women.
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