CITY of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox last night spoke for the first time about a graphic tweet sent by councillor Elise Chapman to a supporter of the Bendigo mosque.
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A meeting was held between the two on Tuesday after Cr Chapman sent a tweet of infants with mutilated genitals to a woman who voiced her support via Twitter for a new Bendigo mosque.
The mayor issued a statement following his discussions with Cr Chapman that neither would comment until last night's council meeting.
This matter should immediately be referred to the council code of conduct panel under the local government act.
Last night, he told the meeting Cr Chapman had breached the City of Greater Bendigo code of conduct and it could not be argued she was acting as an individual sending the tweet.
The mayor noted Cr Chapman believed she was acting personally and not as a councillor, but the 'council did not agree it was possible for elected representatives to separate the two roles, particularly when commenting on council issues'.
However, the mayor said the issue had not been resolved and his fellow councillors needed to be involved in further discussions.
Why was this not considered until now?
The mayor further stated this was a complex matter - but this is not complex.
He has conceded the councillor breached the code of conduct and was acting in her role as a councillor.
There is a clear process to follow and this matter should immediately be referred to the council code of conduct panel under the local government act.
