Opinion piece

The Bugle is committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and respect in the community. In this spirit, I draw attention to recent concerns regarding Councillor Croxford's reported comments on social media. It is my understanding that these remarks have raised questions about adherence to the Kiama Municipal Council Media Policy and the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW. This article aims to address the broader issue of professional conduct and respectful communication among our elected officials, rather than targeting any individual personally.

In light of recent discussions, concerns have been raised regarding comments made by Clr Croxford on social media. It is my understanding that these comments, which reportedly referred to dissenters as “lazy”, “uninformed” and “insignificant mental pygmies”, have sparked questions about adherence to the Kiama Municipal Council Media Policy and the Model Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW.

The Kiama Municipal Council Media Policy, endorsed on 19 March 2024, outlines clear principles and standards for media engagement by Council officials. At the heart of the policy are principles such as openness, consistency, accuracy, and timeliness, which are designed to ensure that all communications with the media are conducted in a manner that upholds the Council’s integrity and reputation.

Key points of concern regarding these reported comments include:

Principles of media engagement:

• Openness: The policy emphasises the importance of promoting an open exchange of information between the Council and the media. Derogatory language does not support an open or respectful dialogue.
• Consistency and accuracy: Ensuring consistent and accurate representation in media communications is crucial. Personal attacks and inflammatory language undermine the integrity and reliability of our communications.

Standards of conduct when engaging with the media:

• Defamatory and offensive language: Council officials must not share information or make comments that could be considered defamatory, offensive, humiliating, threatening, or intimidating to other Council officials or members of the public.
• Harassment and bullying: Comments must not constitute harassment and/or bullying. The use of derogatory remarks could be perceived as bullying.
• Professionalism and respect: All media engagement by Council officials must be conducted in a professional, timely, and respectful manner.

Councillors’ conduct:

• Reputation: Councillors must not bring the organisation or its employees into disrepute through any form of media commentary.
• Resolving differences privately: Councillors should endeavour to resolve personal differences privately and must not prosecute them publicly through the media.

These guidelines underscore the expectation for Council officials to communicate in a manner that is respectful, professional, and reflective of the Council's values. The use of language perceived as derogatory not only undermines these principles but also damages the trust and confidence that the community places in its elected representatives.

As members of the Kiama community, it is imperative that we hold our Council officials accountable to the highest standards of conduct. The Council's commitment to professional and respectful communication is essential in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our local government.

We urge the Council to review this matter and take appropriate action to ensure adherence to the established Media Policy. By doing so, we can reaffirm our commitment to transparent, respectful, and professional communication that serves the best interests of our community.