Thug reference controversy: Farrell evades ‘first’ sack bid

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A FIRST bid to depose councillor Jan Farrell from her community safety portfolio for defending a thug who glassed a man failed this week.
Cr Barbara Abley proposed a motion at Tuesday night’s council meeting to remove the portfolio from Cr Farrell as part of urgent business.
But the proposal failed to reach a two-thirds majority for urgent business when councillors voted seven to four against the motion.
Crs Bruce Harwood, Stretch Kontelj, Eddy Kontelj, John Doull, Kylie Fisher, Ron Nelson and Farrell voted against the motion.
Crs Abley, Cameron Granger, Andy Richards and Rod McDonald voted in favour, with Mayor John Mitchell away in New York.
The motion also sought to review a councillor expenses and facilities policy to clarify councillors’ use of council letterheads.
Cr Farrell provided a court reference on a council letterhead for family friend Tobias Sheehan who had pleaded guilty to serious assault over the glassing. He was later convicted and jailed.
Police and others criticised Cr Farrell for defending Sheehan, demanding she step down from her role on the safety committee or quit council.
Cr Abley said she was disappointed the vote failed but expected the push against Cr Farrell to continue.
“We need to do this publicly in the council chamber and not, as it has been so often accused, behind closed doors.
The wider community made loud its disquiet and expressed great concerns about the issue of alcohol fuelled violence.
“The failed motion will no doubt come back to council in the near future in the form of a notice of motion.”
Cr Harwood said he voted against the motion because he needed more information.
“I’m not satisfied I had all the facts as to what actually occurred before pursuing such an action. Other councillors have used council letterhead to present references before courts before.”
Cr Stretch Kontelj said councillors should discuss the issue when the mayor returned.
“He’s been leading the investigation and without him there we’re going in half-cocked and emotion could overtake a rational debate.
“I can understand why people are upset with Cr Farrell and what she’s done but we also need a chance to talk to her and find out her reasons.
Cr Farrell told the Independent she “wished to be on the record as declining to comment”.