Police called as council farce unfolds

By Callan Date
CASEY Council descended into a debacle on Tuesday night as three police officers were called to help eject an angry councillor who refused to leave council chambers.
The drama unfolded just after 9pm when councillor Rob Wilson attempted to raise a notice of motion outlining the delay involved in the construction of a sports pavilion in Narre Warren North.
Casey mayor Janet Halsall deemed the notice to be potentially defamatory and therefore inadmissible.
The ruling sent Cr Wilson into a tirade of abuse against Cr Halsall, saying the mayor had no right to bully him.
Cr Wilson was ruled out of order on several occasions but refused to take his seat as he dared Cr Halsall to fine him for disobeying her instructions.
“You will have to drag me out of here. You are a disgrace,” he screamed at Cr Halsall.
Cr Halsall requested Cr Wilson leave the chambers for 30 minutes. Cr Wilson refused.
“You will have to call the police. I am exercising my rights under the human rights charter,” he said.
No local-law officers were present at the meeting which forced Casey CEO Mike Tyler to call the police for help.
Members of the public gallery, as well as shocked Casey staff, looked on in disbelief as the mayor lost all control of the meeting.
The meeting was eventually adjourned. Cr Wilson left the room of his own accord shortly after.
The three police officers stayed for the remainder of the meeting to make sure trouble didn’t flare again.
Cr Janet Halsall released a statement yesterday (Wednesday) saying she acted under a local law in asking Cr Wilson to leave.
“A council chamber needs to be a place of positive decision-making at all times and should not be allowed to descend into an arena of chaos, no matter who is the mayor,” she said.
Cr Wilson was unavailable for comment as the Star went to press.