The peak body for local government in Tasmania has launched a campaign to improve the tone of engagement between elected representatives, council staff and members of the public.
“Debate is an important part of democracy but too often we are seeing this descend into hurtful and damaging comments. The impact of this is widespread and often unseen by the community,” said Mick Tucker – president of the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
The Lift the Tone campaign follows a survey conducted by LGAT that found almost 80 per cent of councillors and council staff in Tasmania had interactions with members of the community that were abusive and intimidating.
“We don’t expect people to agree with every decision, but we should be respectful when voicing opposition or opinions,” said Tucker.
LGAT’s survey indicated most councillors had been subjected to varying degrees of abuse or intimidation over the past couple of years with social media (47.3 per cent) and public spaces (36.8 per cent) identified as the most common settings for the abuse.
Responding to the LGAT survey, elected representatives shared stories of the type of abuse they had experienced – including trespassing on private property, death threats necessitating home security measures, verbal assaults in public, harassment while with family, and acts of intimidation such as nails being thrown in driveways. “This behaviour is unacceptable and needs to stop,” said LGAT vice president Paula Wriedt.
Elected representatives are part of local communities, and – while they’re accountable for their decisions – “they are not fair game for abuse,” she added.
Clinical psychologist Dr Emma Richardson said the impact of such abuse can be detrimental to a person’s physical and mental health. “Bullying increases the risk of experiencing anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, low self-worth and illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. It can lead to significant social isolation and feelings of being unsafe, negatively impacting those who witness it and increasing the risk of anxiety and depression in the family and friends of those who are bullied.”
We can disagree without disrespect
Lending support to LGAT’s campaign, Minister for Local Government Kerry Vincent highlighted the importance of fostering respectful interactions. “Elected representatives play an important role in shaping our local communities and everyone has the right to work without hostility,” Vincent said. “Respect is a two-way street, and my expectation is the community and their elected officials treat each other with professionalism and kindness. We can disagree without disrespect, and I want to remove any deterrent for good people to stand for election.”
Councillors and staff are encouraged to download the campaign toolkit, sign a pledge and share key messaging. “I urge you all to support this campaign and encourage respectful engagement between each other and members of our communities,” said Tucker.
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