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Hawkesbury City Council has issued a formal statement distancing itself from comments made by Greens councillor Danielle Wheeler following a high-profile social media clash with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
The controversy erupted on Monday, March 9, when Senator Hanson used her official social media platforms to criticise what she described as an “abusive and unprofessional Facebook rant” posted by Cr Wheeler.
In her response, Senator Hanson shared Cr Wheeler’s official Hawkesbury City Council contact details, including her phone number and email address, with her large online following.
“This is typical behaviour from the Greens and those on the left side of politics,” Senator Hanson wrote in the post.
She encouraged her followers to provide the councillor with what she described as “constructive feedback”, adding sarcastically: “I wish her all the best responding to those who contact her.”
The post quickly gained traction online and drew national attention to the local dispute.
In response to the growing online reaction, Hawkesbury City Council issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying that the councillor’s comments were not made on behalf of the council.
“Opinions posted on Cr Wheeler’s personal social media accounts are her own and do not reflect the Council’s official position,” a council spokesperson said.
Cr Wheeler, who was re-elected in September 2024, is also a member NSW Rural Fire Service and currently serves as chair of the Council’s Heritage Committee.
She has previously campaigned on environmental and social justice issues, including the protection of wetlands and support for local community services.
Within 24 hours of Senator Hanson’s post, the online exchange had generated more than 12,000 reactions and nearly 7,000 comments, highlighting strong and divided opinions among social media users.
Some commenters criticised the councillor’s remarks, with one urging Cr Wheeler to adopt more “balanced, realistic thinking”. Others raised broader concerns about the impact such disputes can have on local government and the use of council resources.
However, the scale of the online response fuelled by the sharing of the councillor’s direct contact details has also prompted questions about the influence of national political figures in local government debates.
Cr Wheeler has been contacted for comment.
