A Griffith councillor has gone head-to-head with the mayor over questionable behaviour accusations, with both going as far as saying they would welcome codes of conduct investigations brought against them.
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Mayor John Dal Broi and councillor Anne Napoli are refusing claims of wrong-doing in relation to the Communities Committee meeting's minutes from last November.
The fall-out came after Cr Dal Broi put forward a motion to remove an "offensive" paragraph, which he said was meant to "deliberately embarrass a staff member".
Yet Cr Napoli said she had already followed the correct protocol to change the minutes before the meeting - without success.
While Cr Napoli was absent from the general meeting due to health concerns, councillors Deb Longhurst and Rina Mercuri stood to clarify the situation.
This is a free country, free speech. No-one should be gagged. We are elected by the community and they need to be informed of what's happening.
- Cr Anne Napoli
The mayor became increasingly "angry" and "aggressive" in his approach, and said Cr Longhurst was heading towards a code of conduct "if someone wanted to pursue it."
The Area News questioned Cr Dal Broi about his treatment of the matter before it came to council - a concern raised by Cr Doug Curran at the meeting, and his behaviour in the public forum deemed "aggressive" by other councillors.
This isn't the first time Cr Dal Broi's manner has been called out of line, yet he stood by his response saying he would "do the same again".
"I haven't launched a code of conduct against anybody…I didn't do it to embarrass the councillors but I felt it was my responsibility to warn Cr Longhurst," he explained.
When asked if he was concerned of action being taken against him, he said "bring it on".
"I am 110 per cent sure that what I've done is correct."
A controversial media statement policy passed in 2017 prevents Cr Longhurst, Cr Mercuri or any other councillor from raising their concerns to the public, but as chairwoman of the committee Cr Napoli can comment on the committee meeting - but she goes a step further.
“I know what I said. I stand with my hand on the bible and on my heart," she resolves.
"Rina, Deb and I did speak to the mayor after the Communities Committee meeting and informed him of what transpired in that meeting.
“I'm not going to put codes of conduct on anyone, but if one comes my way I will welcome it with open arms because I have not breached any rules. I know my obligations and I expect the same courtesy back."
She calls out council's media policy claiming no one should be "gagged", in the hopes of encouraging other councillors to speak up when they see concerning behaviour.
“This is a free country, free speech. No-one should be gagged. We are elected by the community and they need to be informed of what's happening," she said.
“We are constantly told about the media policy but sometimes we need to go beyond that… the truth should always be allowed to come forward and not be held back.”
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