Council defends journo’s exclusion

THE Central Highlands Council has defended its decision to exclude a journalist from a council meeting because of its Covid rules.

Editor of the New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News and Mercury contributor Damian Bester wrote to the director of Local Government Mathew Healey asking about the rules after the journalist was told the limit of four members of the public had been reached.

He said mayor Loueen Triffitt and the council’s general manager were aware the journalist would be travelling from Hobart to Bothwell to cover the meeting.

“I protest this action by Cr Triffitt and most strongly regard it as an assault on the freedom of the press,” Mr Bester wrote. “After waiting outside for most of the meeting, he was invited inside by the deputy general manager at or around item 20 on the 23-item agenda.

“My view is that an accredited journalist tasked with reporting on the meeting should not be counted as a member of the public. They do not participate in the meeting and do not avail themselves of public question time.”

Ms Triffitt said the four people in the public gallery were making representations to the council and an audio recording was available for journalists.

“I’m disappointed that it has come to this, a complaint was unnecessary. He was able to come in when they left. It’s all about keeping people safe.”

Mr Healey said all councils were responsible for managing Covid risks in their workplaces.

“The Central Highlands Council’s work health and safety plan for Covid restricts public attendance at Council meetings to four at any one time for social distancing purposes,” he said. “I understand that this policy is to be reviewed early next year and that the review will consider the concerns raised regarding the treatment of journalists as members of the public.”