News
27 May, 2026
Interim order against council critic
Legal proceedings involving Wingecarribee Shire Council’s leadership team and a prominent council critic are likely to drag on for months, potentially costing ratepayers significantly.
Legal proceedings involving Wingecarribee Shire Council’s leadership team and a prominent council critic are likely to drag on for months, potentially costing ratepayers significantly.
Mayor Jesse Fitpatprick and general manager Lisa Miscamble have been granted an interim interim AVO against Theo Onisforou following his ejection from a council public forum in March.
The matter was heard before Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday with interim orders set in place until early November.
Neither the mayor nor council’s general manager were in court for yesterday’s proceedings but Mr Onisforou appeared beside his legal representative and at one stage was told by the Magistrate to sit down after interjecting.
A member of the public was also asked to be quiet after questioning how residents would be protected from the mayor and general manager.
Mr Onisforou’s legal representative Patrick Duffy described the Order as an attempt to muzzle his client and said people in public office should develop “thicker skins”.
He said his client was an “absolute cleanskin” and the charges against him were an attempt by Mr Onisforous’s political opponents to sully his character.
He described it as “frankly un-Australian”.
The Magistrate said an AVO would not stop Mr Onisforou from having “appropriate” communications with council and he was satisfied that an interim order should be put in place.
The case continues.
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