Wellington takes issue with shire’s media policy

SURF Coast Shire councillor Heather Wellington has taken serious exception to her own council’s new policy for dealing with the media and social media, claiming one aspect of it is a “gag policy”.

Officers started discussions about the policy with councillors at a briefing in 2018, and Betteridge Legal Consulting was appointed to work with councillors and key officers to develop the Councillor Media Policy.

It was formally adopted at last week’s council meeting.

The policy states councillors should not make comments that “bring the council, another councillor, state or federal government or any other local government into disrepute” and that councillors can express their own views “provided they do not seek to publicly undermine council decisions or other councillors”.

Cr Brian McKiterick said the policy “has been a long time coming” and was “the result of this council having some significant issues working together”.

“As social media gathered momentum, we didn’t keep up as a council.

“This policy, basically, is about respect.” Cr Wellington strongly disagreed with the intent of the Councillor Media Policy, arguing that it would stifle debate.

She agreed that all commentary by councillors needed to be respectful but said that councillors needed to be able to disagree with the council’s decisions.

She said the policy was not just about social media but included councillors talking in the council chambers.

“From tonight, when this policy is approved, we won’t be able to say things that are prohibited in this policy in front of the press – the policy explicitly says it includes the chamber because the press are present.

“We have to be able to express ourselves freely in the debate in the chamber, and it is unbelievable that we as councillors would agree to that right being curtailed.

“It also says that if a decision is under consideration we shouldn’t respond to requests for comment from the media. Good heavens. This a gag policy, councillors – I’m sorry, but that is completely unacceptable to me.”

The motion passed five votes to one, with Cr Wellington the only councillor to vote against it.