By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A councillor’s tweet suggesting Mayor Darryn Lyons was a “rainbow-vomit uber-bogan” has reignited City Hall’s bullying issue.
Cr Jan Farrell’s tweet also said: “Beware loud suits and colourful mohawks”.
Cr Farrell was exchanging tweets with social commentator and playwright Vanessa ‘Van’ Badham
Ms Badham’s profile as a columnist for the Guardian Australia describes her as a theatre-maker and novelist, occasional broadcaster and critic, feminist, bogan and trollfighter.
Geelong businessman Chris Tsorotes last year complained to City Hall that Cr Farrell had retweeted a racist comment about Greeks.
Cr Lyons and Cr Farrell have had previous jousts on Twitter.
She accused him of sexism in a post about “big balled politicians”. Cr Farrell said the tweet “horrified” her and exhorted the need for respect.
New City chief executive Kelvin Spiller said the latest tweet would be “raised“ with Cr Farrell and the mayor.
The Twitter spat followed an extensive investigation into bullying at City of Greater Geelong.
Former Australian Human Rights Commissioner Susan Halliday’s report said bullying issues were uncovered within City Hall, involving both staff and councillors.
She said people were unwilling to raise concerns due to a fear of unfair treatment or reprisal.
Ms Halliday found that some councillors “engage unprofessionally, inappropriately and bully people”.
“It is clear that a significant number of people have felt undervalued, unfairly treated and bullied,” Ms Halliday said.
“It is also acknowledged that in the past some have felt that they had no option other than to endure inappropriate conduct.”
Cr Farrell did not repond to the Indy’s requests for comment.
