Aussie councillor given ban after questioning new Pride flag

A councillor has been banned from speaking to almost all staff after she questioned whether or not a proposal to permanently erect a Pride flag at council offices was "divisive".

Following external mediation late last month, Mornington Peninsula councillor Susan Bissinger was also ordered to undergo personal development training, the Herald Sun reports.

The reprehension was triggered by an email exchange between Ms Bissinger, who was elected in 2021, her fellow councillors and council staff over a plan to install the Progress Pride flag at all council offices.

What led to the councillor's ban?

The Progress Pride flag represents marginalised people of colour, as well as those living and who have died from AIDS/HIV, the transgender community and those who are intersex, in transition or non-binary.

In her correspondence, she challenged the move and voiced concerns the flag would be "divisive". She also said the council shouldn't try to be "woke" like other areas of Melbourne, the Herald Sun reports.

During the September 22 mediation, the emails were used as an example of her "poor" behaviour.

Afterwards, she was ordered to undergo personal development training. In a seperate reprimand from council Chief Executive John Baker, who had attended the meeting, Ms Bissinger was handed a letter citing the Local Government Act, directing her to interact only with Mr Baker, the council’s chief financial officer and three other department heads — and no other council staff.

Do you have a story about your local council? Contact reporter Laura Koefoed at laura.koefoed@yahooinc.com

Orders 'gone too far' for some

Ms Bissinger told the Herald Sun that by being banned from speaking to council staff, she would be unable to act on behalf of her community.

"I'm pretty tough, but this is overwhelming," she said, also noting it wasn't clear to her what the complaints actually were for these orders to come into play.

• Vandals destroy Pride sign in Sydney suburb: 'They're not welcome here'

• Council accused of 'sneaky' tactics as tiny numbers appear on streets

• Resident's rant about neighbour's detailed bin instructions backfires: 'You're wrong'

Council Watch spokesperson Dean Hurlston told the publication that this was an example of a "cultural crisis" in local government where chief executives had "too much power".

"There is no other role where you can be elected by your community to represent them, only to be shut down and humiliated by council executives because they don't like what you say or the questions you are asking," he said.

The council and The Local Government Inspectorate have both declined comment at this stage.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.