Burnie Councillor Trent Aitken found himself booted from a council meeting for the third time this term on Tuesday night.
The incident unfolded when a public question was directed at Councillor Ken Dorsey.
Mayor Teeny Brumby allowed Dorsey to answer, a departure from usual practice where only the mayor fields questions.
Aitken challenged this, arguing that it set a problematic precedent, potentially exposing councillors to public criticism if they chose not to answer questions.
“I think you’re opening your councillors up to potentially be ridiculed or picked on out in the public because they may or may not choose to answer a public question,” he said.
“As a member of the public that’s asked many public questions here, at no point in time have I ever been able to ask it directly of a councillor.”
Despite the mayor’s explanation and attempts to resolve the issue, Aitken refused to withdraw his objections.
“I’m more than happy to take the views around this table to determine whether or not this will be a precedent and whether or not we decide that we want to allow this to happen into the future,” Brumby said.
“But for tonight, I will be allowing Councillor Dorsey to respond. Now, I’d love you to be sitting in this room for that response because it is my wish for the future motions that are coming tonight.”
“I’d love you to be here. I don’t want to suspend you right now. But I will if you will not allow me to now defer to Councillor Dorsey. So that’s my final plea to you.”
Aitken stood firm and was shown the door. He took to social media after the meeting to say he would be “in a bit of trouble” for his actions.
“Burnie as a city will come right eventually,” he said. “I have no hard feelings towards anyone from last night’s meeting and I intend to still do my best for Burnie moving forward.”
“Me being kicked out of a meeting for standing my ground and digging my heels in will not come as a surprise to anyone that knows. That’s what I do.”
