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Privacy Protection for Councillors and other Politicians

26/10/2020 - Privacy Protection for Councillors and other Politicians

Moved by Councillor Phelps, seconded by Councillor Vithoulkas -

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note:

(i)         no legislation prohibiting the publication of federal, state or local politicians' addresses currently exists;

(ii)        there have been a number of high-profile politicians, both at local and state level, whose addresses of their private residence have been published; and

(iii)      this poses a safety and privacy risk to politicians and has the potential to be weaponised; and

(B)      the Lord Mayor be requested to:

(i)         write a letter to the Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, and the Attorney-General, the Hon. Christian Porter MP, requesting the introduction of legislation banning the publication of the private addresses of politicians at all levels of government; and

(ii)        provide Councillors with a copy of this letter and its reply via the CEO update.

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Note – the motion above was not carried. The resolution as below was carried –

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council note there are limited protections in place regarding the publication of local government Councillors private addresses; and

(B)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         write to the Office of Local Government requesting information about the privacy protections for local government Councillors and consideration of additional protections; and

(ii)        provide Councillors with a copy of this letter and its reply via the CEO Update.

The amendment was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (7)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Forster, Kok, Miller, Scott, Scully and Thalis.

Noes (3)          Councillors Chung, Phelps, and Vithoulkas.

Amendment carried.

The amended motion was carried on the following show of hands –

Ayes (9)          The Chair (the Lord Mayor), Councillors Chung, Forster, Kok, Miller, Scott, Scully, Thalis and Vithoulkas

Noes (1)          Councillor Phelps.

Motion carried.

S129263