City of Melville rejects review of local government protections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 05:49 · Archive

The City of Melville has voted against requesting a sector-wide review of protections for local government representatives.

The City of Melville unanimously voted to express sympathy for Dr Helen Haines and her family, and to condemn online bullying, harassment, threats, intimidation and violence against council members, election candidates, staff and their families. Dr Haines, an independent Federal MP, was struck twice by a car in an alleged road-rage incident on 19 October, resulting in the amputation of both her legs.

However, when Councillor Karen Wheatland proposed that the council ask the Western Australian Local Government Association to push for a co-ordinated response to these behaviours and identify gaps in existing protections, the motion was defeated 6-7. Wheatland said the rejection was 'mind-blowing' given the severity of violence experienced by Dr Haines. She had wanted the review to pay particular attention to gender-based abuse.

Wheatland, national vice-president of the Australian Local Government Women's Association, cited complaints from women about bullying and intimidation in the sector. She reported that a woman was targeted with a Molotov cocktail in regional New South Wales, and that a Western Australian councillor was stalked by a resident to the point of obtaining a violence restraining order before leaving the sector.

City of Melville rejects review of local government protections — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

City of Melville condemns violence towards local government but baulks at calling for sector-wide reviewA failed bid to review protections for local government representatives in the wake of an attack against a Federal MP has been slammed as ‘insensitive’.The West Australian · 26 Oct, 05:21
City of Melville condemns violence towards local government but baulks at calling for sector-wide reviewA failed bid to review protections for local government representatives in the wake of an attack against a Federal MP has been slammed as ‘insensitive’.Perth Now · 26 Oct, 05:21

In this story: Dr Helen Haines · Karen Wheatland · City of Melville · Western Australian Local Government Association · Australian Local Government Women's Association

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