By Catherine Watson
CASEY councillor Bob Halsall has narrowly escaped being referred to the police by the council for using obscene language in the council chambers.
Cr Halsall uttered the obscenity twice during a heated debate among councillors last month when he claimed fellow councillor Kevin Bradford had used the word against Cr Halsall’s wife, Janet Halsall, when she was mayor of Casey.
At last night’s council meeting, a vote to refer the matter to the police was lost 5-4, but former councillor and veteran council watcher Paul Richardson told the Weekly after the meeting he would be referring the matter to police.
On the night in question, Mr Richardson was evicted from the chamber when he protested at Cr Halsall’s language.
Cr Bradford, who raised the motion to refer the matter, said several residents had asked him how Cr Halsall could use the word in a public space without repercussions when it was an offence under the Summary Offences Act.
Last night Cr Halsall declared an interest and left the room while the motion was debated but two of his fellow councillors, including mayor Sam Aziz, sprang to his defence.
Cr Aziz said he would not support the motion because Cr Halsall had apologised to the councillors and gallery before and after using the word.
Cr Geoff Ablett said the use of the word was completely out of character for Cr Halsall, who was ‘‘a good family man’’ and merely wanted people to experience and understand the offence caused to his wife and himself by Cr Bradford’s use of the word.
Cr Bradford has denied using the word to Janet Halsall.
Cr Lynette Keleher said the fact that Cr Halsall had apologised before using the word showed it was premeditated. ‘‘I was disgusted. He could have made his point without using the word.’’
From there, the debate became farcical.
Cr Geoff Ablett called a point of order and said Cr Halsall’s use of the word was not premeditated.
Cr Keleher: ‘‘He apologised before he said it.’’
Cr Aziz: ‘‘Sit down, Cr Keleher. I’m sustaining the point of order.’’
Cr Bradford: ‘‘Whether you apologise for committing an offence, it is still an offence. It was premeditated because he apologised before he said it.’’
Cr Ablett: ‘‘Point of order. There was no premeditation.’’
Cr Aziz: ‘‘Sustained!’’
When the vote was taken, councillors Bradford, Keleher, Curtis and Owen voted to refer the matter to police, while councillors Aziz, Ablett, Balmes, Stapledon and Smith voted against. Cr Hastie was absent and Cr Halsall did not vote.
