Greater Bendigo councillor Owen Cosgriff has been found to have engaged in misconduct after allegedly slamming his fist on a table and storming out of a meeting.
Arbiter Noel Harvey also found that an email and meeting comments about staff constituted misconduct, in that they were disrespectful and contributed to an unsafe and uncomfortable working environment.
One allegation about failure to attend heritage board meetings was not upheld, and found to be a result of a misunderstanding rather than deliberate misconduct.
Cr Cosgriff has been ordered to publicly apologise at at a future council meeting following an independent arbitration.
The incidents largely stemmed from tensions over the Bendigo Writers Festival.
Cr Cosgriff told the Bendigo Advertiser that his forceful expression was legitimate political debate, and that “all Victorians ought to be concerned by the chilling effect on robust debate a report such as this may have.”
A spokesperson said the “Council respects the outcome of the investigation and is focused on supporting all councillors to move forward constructively.”
The arbitration report will be tabled at Monday’s meeting of the Council, and the apology by Cr Cosgriff must occur at the following Council meeting scheduled for 16th March.