A Northern Midlands councillor and former federal politician breached the council's code of conduct, including by calling a female councillor a "f---ing b----".
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Dick Adams, who was the federal Labor Lyons member for 20 years, was determined to have breached the council's code of conduct during a closed session council meeting on June 28, and at a District Committee meeting on April 7, by the Local Government Code of Conduct panel.
The breaches amounted to three separate indiscretions including two infringing on relationships with elected members and the community, and one of a conflict of interest.
The panel determined Cr Adams would be "suspended from performing and exercising the functions and powers of his office as a councillor for one month", and he would have to make two public apologies.
Cr Adams declined to comment on the rulings.
The complaint was made by fellow councillor Matthew Brooks, who said he felt compelled to make the complaint after seeing Cr Adams swear at two different people within a short period of time.
He said during the council meeting on June 28 the council had moved a motion to send Northern Midlands mayor Mary Knowles as a representative for violence against women, and the timing of Cr Adams' comments made the motion "kind of worthless".
I just thought it was a disrespectful comment to women, and it's a bad enough thing to say at any time.
- Councillor Matthew Brooks
The hearing detailed the councillor that Cr Adams had called a "f---ing b----" was colleague Janet Lambert, who once ran for a state Lyons seat, on June 28.
He told the panel he had grown frustrated and he was angry "at having lost his position on a council committee earlier in the meeting" and that was why he "lashed out at Cr Lambert".
The previous month Cr Adams had told Longford District Committee chairman Neil Tubb, to "f--- off".
Cr Brooks said the fact the comments came within quick succession, and that Cr Adams "had not learnt" from the first indiscretion, encouraged him to make the formal complaint.
The latest ruling was not the first time Cr Adams had found himself to have breached the council's code of conduct.
In 2019, a complaint against Cr Adams, also made by Cr Brooks, was partially upheld after he failed to declare a conflict of interest in a development application made to the council by his partner.
The ruling found he failed to disclose that his wife was the only public objector to a vote he participated in.
The latest hearing detailed the 2021 conflict of interest breach was given "added weight", in comparison to the previous breach, because of Cr Adams' "strong and unacceptable language" directed towards Mr Tubb and Cr Lambert.
Cr Knowles and council General Manager Des Jennings declined to comment on the rulings.
Cr Brooks and Mr Tubb said following the complaint and investigation process credit to Cr Adams was due.
Cr Brooks said he had suffered sleepless nights throughout the six-month ruling process, but he had "moved on" from the incident.
I feel they've done a good job investigating thoroughly. Cr Adams had a fair hearing. It's a good outcome for everyone and we can all learn from it.
- Councillor Matthew Brooks
Latest chapter in Northern Midlands saga
The saga was the latest in a slew of controversies to have plagued the council in recent memory.
The case is currently being heard in the Tasmanian Supreme Court, where Mr McCullagh is also facing contempt of court charges.
In March they made a decision to sell off the Campbell Town Town Hall, drawing ire from ratepayers.
In August the council blocked a proposed $300 million, 390-lot development at Perth.
Also in August, a Tasmanian Planning Commission decision found the council had "failed" to protect the historic Longford Racecourse against housing development.
On November 17 council approved the 44-lot development at Longford despite sections of the community expressing displeasure, and one councillor voting against the proposal.
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