An official caution has been issued to a Hobart councillor found to have breached a code of conduct by suggesting feminists opposed to transgender reforms were “transphobes” akin to “Nazis”.
Cr Holly Ewin, a “non-binary” vocal supporter of transgender reforms, has been found by an independent investigation panel to have breached several sections of the Hobart City Council’s code of conduct.
The panel findings, posted on the HCC’s website on Thursday, rule Cr Ewin’s Facebook attacks on feminist group Women Speak Tasmania breached code requirements relating to public discourse.
While the panel imposed a caution, it decided against compelling Cr Ewin to issue an apology to Women Speak, prompting the group to take legal advice on a potential court challenge.
“We’re not happy with the sanction that’s been imposed and we are seeking legal advice about an appeal to the Magistrates Court,” group spokeswoman Bronwyn Williams told The Australian.
Miss Williams’ group has clashed repeatedly with Cr Ewin on reforms aimed at bolstering the rights of transgender people.
Women Speak opposes Tasmania’s laws allowing people to change gender via statutory declaration, claiming they undermine the sanctity and safety of services provided to women and girls.
There have also been exchanges about Cr Ewin’s push for signs in public toilets advising that trans people can use whichever lavatory – male or female – they wish to, and that people should not object unless they feel unsafe.
Women Speak’s complaint says that in Facebook posts or council meetings Cr Ewin compared its members to Nazis and labelled them “transphobes” and a “hate group”, “full of fear, anger and hate”, requiring “counselling”.
In its findings, the three-member Code of Conduct Panel found that Cr Ewin did not deny making these statements, that they were made, and that they breached two sections of the HCC code of conduct.
These require councillors to “not cause any person offence or embarrassment” and dictate that they “must show respect when expressing personal views publicly”.
“Although robust debate is to be expected, the panel found Cr Ewin’s conduct went beyond the limits imposed by the code,” the findings say.
However, in deciding against a stiffer penalty, the panel “took into account that Cr Ewin was a first-time councillor of less than 12 months’ experience” and that it was the first complaint against Cr Ewin.
Miss Williams said her group supported free speech. “But we don’t think that extends to unsubstantiated insults being hurled at members of the community by elected representatives,” she said.
In a response to the panel, Cr Ewin appeared unrepentant, saying Women Speak “fits every descriptor of a hate group”. “If I am asked to apologise for any comments I have made in relation to Women Speak, I will refuse,” Cr Ewin said.
Two other Hobart councillors have made a separate code of conduct complaint against Cr Ewin, who dismissed this new complaint as baseless.
Source: The Australian