DEAR Cr Elise Chapman, regardless of your personal views, as an elected representative of this city and its environs, you have a duty to behave appropriately and to consider the impact of all of your behaviour on the wider community.
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I believe this duty applies whether or not you choose to sign the code of conduct.
By accepting public office you have explicitly agreed to be held to account by the community.
Claims that your recent actions relate to debate about the proposed mosque in Bendigo are patently ludicrous, particularly given that the picture tweeted has no relation whatsoever to the existence or not of such a venue.
To be clear, Ms Chapman, female circumcision is illegal in Australia and is not likely to be enacted in a mosque.
You proudly claim your right to free speech, but free speech is not carte blanche for ignorance, nor does it permit one to incite fear and hatred, let alone hypocrisy.
I am ashamed to say, Ms Chapman, that you represent the ward in which I live. However, I am proud to say that you in no way represent me or my family and friends who are appalled by your behaviour in this instance.
I call on you to resign immediately. In the likely absence of this event, I ask your fellow councillors to move a motion of no confidence in you as a matter of priority.
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