Tweed Shire councillor Kimberly Hone was removed by police from Council chambers yesterday after refusing to comply with a vote of her peers, sparking comments from One Nation’s Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce.
Cr Hone has previously run as a NSW Nationals candidate. She came under criticism for her views on domestic violence, trans/gays, climate change and immigration. In the past, she has also been vocal around her faith as a Christian.
Cr Nola Firth told The Echo, ‘The motion to support the mayor’s decision of expulsion passed with myself, the mayor, Crs Dennis and Byrnes in favour’.
In her video post, Cr Hone said, she was ejected from Council, ‘Because we are no longer allowed to say what we think or feel’.
‘I have an issue with the Northern Rivers Planning Panel and the preference deals they did with councillors – I find that a bit strange’.
She said she made her views known and, ‘all of a sudden I am not allowed to say that’.
‘I was asked to retract or apologised, but I didn’t name any councillors. It’s a personal opinion. And because of that, the police were called’.
‘This is a brand new rule brought in by the mayor to control anyone who has an opposing opinion to her, and it’s backed by the deputy Labor mayor.’
‘This is a ridiculous code and it needs to be abolished’.
‘I was ejected for disorderly conduct – [it was] only introduced by the mayor and deputy mayor. The panel do not like some of our big projects at, same as the mayor. Is she trying to gag me?
‘I cannot believe that police were called to silence me and removed. The police officer agreed’.
In the video, Cr Hone’s husband added it is ‘Typical behaviour of the loony left.’
‘They have been plotting to silence her, he said, adding, ‘But we have a mega phone called the internet’, he said.
Mayor Chris Cherry statement
Mayor Chris Cherry said, ‘Councillor Hone was removed from the Council Chamber by a vote of her peers based on her unwillingness to retract or apologise for a statement that she made infringing on the good reputation of members of the Northern Regional Planning Panel and four elected councillors’.
‘For the record to my knowledge, there were no preference deals made between any members of the Northern Regional Planning Panel and elected Councillors.
‘Councillor Hone was provided with the opportunity to retract or apologise which was in her interest given that no parliamentary privilege exists in the Council Chamber.
‘The Code of Meeting Practice clause referred to is in the Model Code issued by the State government not myself or other Councillors, and has been in operation for many years.
‘I understand that Cr Hone is a relatively new Councillor but to say that this is a new power in the Code is simply incorrect.
‘In that Model Code, the only way to deal with a refusal to adhere to the Code was for Council to take a vote on whether Councillor Hone should be expelled.
‘The necessity to call the Police is prescribed by the Code when a Councillor refuses to leave the Council Chamber.
‘Today was the first time in my time as a Councillor and Mayor it was needed to be used.
‘What is really upsetting is that police time and resources were wasted rather than Cr Hone addressing her behaviour in what was otherwise a productive Council meeting.
‘As the Mayor and Chair of the meeting it is incumbent on me to ensure that Councillors conduct themselves in accordance with the various Acts, Regulations and Policies that prescribe how a Council is governed.
‘It saddens me to see incivility in our Chambers, as it should be a place for robust debate on strategic direction and policy considerations for the betterment of our Shire not as a forum for unfounded personal remarks or comments.
‘It will be up to the members of the Northern Regional Planning Panel as to whether they would like to pursue action against Cr Hone for the statements made’, she added.
Left conspiracy says Hanson
Pauline Hanson said on social media, ‘This is what happens when the left take over councils’.
‘They shut down the lone voice who dares to challenge them and have them escorted from the chamber by local police. Outrageous!’
Barnaby Joyce reposted the video of Cr Hone and wrote, ‘This is Councillor Kimberly Hone of Tweed Shire Council in northern NSW. She looks terrifying, doesn’t she! The sort of person which would have you running from the park if you crossed her path at night’.
‘This is local government, apparently closest to the people, in the caring, sharing, enlightened green nirvana of the Northern coast council chambers.
‘It is a very concerning day when a councillor who doesn’t match the politics of the Byron Bay zeitgeist is removed, not because she was violent, swearing, yelling, but merely asking questions and disagreeing with Labor and The Greens Party.
‘Removed by the police from the Tweed Shire Council Chambers.
‘Is this where other councils go as we travel down the path of dispensing with alternate views in favour of wisdom of the party line. Actually, they are just the political elite enforcing what they see as the entitlement of enlightenment. If required, enforced in the most belligerent manner,’ said Joyce.
The claims
Cr Hone claimed there were preference deals between members of the Northern Rivers Planning Panel and those elected on Council. According to the panel’s website, the panel comprises Dianne Leeson, Stephen Gow and Michael Wright. None of them appear as candidates for the 2024 LGA election in Tweed Shire.
The Echo understands Cr Hone was referring to the community members of the panel. There is no available information online around that membership.
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