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Three councillors broke ranks during a tense debate at Hawkesbury City Council meeting on Tuesday 12 April, over the controversial ban imposed on local media organisations the Hawkesbury Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio.
Councillors Nathan Zamprogno, Mike Creed and Shane Djuric opposed the restrictions, with Councillors Creed and Zamprogno speaking forcefully against the decision during the council meeting.
The ban, reportedly justified on Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) grounds relating to psychosocial hazards, has generated significant community concern over transparency, media freedom and the role of local government in determining which media organisations are permitted access to council facilities.
Councillor Creed spoke emotionally about what he described as a culture of bullying within council, recounting his own experiences when taking minority positions on council decisions. He argued similar behaviour was now being directed toward sections of the local media through the imposition of the ban.
During the debate, Councillor Creed became visibly distressed and was unable to continue, with Councillor Zamprogno taking over much of the argument opposing the restrictions.
Drawing heavily on the provisions of the Local Government Act, Councillor Zamprogno argued the council did not possess legislative authority to impose an ongoing organisational ban on media outlets.
He noted that Section 10 of the Local Government Act provides that everyone is entitled to attend council meetings, with removal powers limited to individuals engaging in disorderly conduct at a specific meeting.
“What they write in their paper, or say on the radio is not disorderly conduct,” Councillor Zamprogno told the chamber.
He further argued there was “no remit in legislation” to ban an entire media organisation or impose restrictions “until further notice”.
Councillor Zamprogno criticised the process by which the ban was imposed, expressing disappointment that the matter would not have been debated publicly if not for the motion brought forward by himself, Councillor Creed and Councillor Djuric.
He also accused some councillors of supporting the ban because they disliked the reporting and commentary produced by the affected media organisations.
“I would be happier if my colleagues around this table were prepared to admit that the reason that they are prepared to associate their name with a ban on the Hawkesbury Gazette and Hawkesbury Radio is because they don’t like the way those organisations report on their personal and professional conduct,” he said.
Councillor Zamprogno argued that criticism of elected officials and robust journalism were essential components of democratic society, even when uncomfortable.
“It’s possible to make a principled stand backed by a long tradition in our own society of permitting a free press, even when we disagree vehemently about what that press chooses to say,” he said.
In one of the strongest moments of the debate, Councillor Zamprogno rejected suggestions the issue centred primarily around workplace safety concerns.
“As much as others will try and paint a different picture, this is not about the sense of safety that Councillors and Council staff are entitled to feel inside this room,” he said. “People listening here and at home will see that as insincere, performative virtue signalling.”
He went on to argue the “worst behaviour” he had witnessed in the chamber had come from elected representatives rather than journalists.
The debate highlighted growing tension within local government across Australia around the use of WHS and psychosocial hazard frameworks in politically sensitive environments.
Under NSW WHS legislation, councils have obligations to provide psychologically safe workplaces. However, critics argue those obligations must also be balanced against democratic transparency, freedom of the press and the public’s right to scrutiny of elected officials.
The Hawkesbury Gazette discloses that Councillor Lyons-Buckett has familial ties to the Publisher of the Gazette. The Gazette maintains editorial independence and publishes this disclosure in the interests of transparency and accountability to readers.
