Council bans deep sighs
Fremantle Herald (Fremantle Australia)
by David Bell
29 November 2013

Negative body language is to be banned at Melville city council under a new, more restrictive code of conduct for elected members.

Examples of outlawed behaviour include shrugging of shoulders, rolling of eyes and letting out a “deep sigh”.

Breaches of the code carry financial penalties.

Elected members also won’t be allowed to “attack a suggestion” by saying “that won’t work” nor make comments that could be deemed “sarcastic” or “snide”.

Asking too many questions is also to be banned. Examples of behaviour that would “contravene the principles of the code of conduct” include:
•
 using a tone which is either sarcastic or aggressive;
•
 using or making derogatory names or remarks or obscene language;
•
 using veiled threats or innuendos or snide remarks;
•
 raising your voice;
•
 engaging in negative body language which others find offensive, which may include but is not limited to shrugging of shoulders, rolling of eyes, deep sigh, finger pointing, turning our back on someone, standing over, throwing of documents, slamming of fists or slamming of the door;
•
 interruptive or asking excessive/inappropriate questions;
•
 personal attacks;
•
 attacking a suggestion by saying things such as “that’s a dumb idea” or “that won’t work”.
•
 and, “taking things personally or finding offense to comments”.

Approved behaviour includes, “making eye contact to the person you are talking to” and “raise your hand” before speaking.

Melville, led by media-shy mayor Russell Aubrey, is already notorious for putting the screws on elected members and ordering councillors not to speak to journalists.

Councillors are already told they mustn’t express an opinion publicly on issues before they’re voted on, as that may demonstrate prejudice. But they are also banned from criticising decisions after they’re made and are not allowed to “undermine” existing council policies, making it difficult to advocate publicly for change.

The new code of conduct screws the clamps even tighter, warning councillors that, “extreme caution should be exercised in expressing views on matters that may likely come before council at some future stage”.

Cr June Barton, a former mayor, expressed concern before the October council elections the revised code had been drawn up by staff without input from elected members. The council will vote on the new code on December 10.


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