Council
22 June, 2026
Politics no excuse for poor behaviour: Duffy
It was a speech that almost brought fellow councillors to tears. Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick described it as “one of the better things” he had heard since an elected council was returned to the Wingecarribee.
It was a speech that almost brought fellow councillors to tears.
Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick described it as “one of the better things” he had heard since an elected council was returned to the Wingecarribee.
Cr Therese Duffy spoke from the heart – and with child on lap – when she spoke of the ‘real-life’ consequences of on-line behaviour at last week’s council meeting.
“I’m part of the generation that saw the rise of social media from the beginning,” Cr Duffy said.
“Since those early days we have witnessed a decline in respectful public discourse and a rise in people who are willing to say things behind a keyboard that they would never say in person,” she said.
Cr Duffy was speaking in favour of a Notice of Motion tabled by Cr Nicole Smith, calling on council to strengthen its social media protocols.
“Words and actions matter,” Cr Duffy said.
“Bullying is not harmless. The effects can be profound and long lasting and the damage is often invisible until it is too late.
“Politics is not an excuse for poor behaviour.
“If we want integrity in politics we must also demonstrate integrity in the way we treat one another.
“This is local government. We are here to represent the people of the Wingecarribee and that responsibility should come with a higher standard of conduct.
“As a true born and bred local I believe one of the true strengths has always been our country values of respect, honesty and the ability to disagree without being disagreeable.”
Councillors have taken aim at social media platforms – in particular Highlands Opinion – for polarising debate on council issues and for manufacturing ‘artificial community consensus’.
“We should be able to have robust debates, hold different views and challenge ideas without resorting to anonymous attacks of personal abuse,” Cr Duffy said.
“We teach our children that honesty is the best policy, that people should stand behind their word and that respect matters.
“As adults and particularly as community leaders we should be willing to live by that same standard ourselves.”
Cr Duffy said ‘anonymous online bullying’ was not harmless.
“It effects real people, real families and the fabric of our community,” she said.
“If we are to expect better from our children we should expect better from ourselves,” she said.
“We can disagree respectfully, we can debate passionately and we can do so without abandoning the kindness and decency that has always defined this community.”
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