Police called to fiery council meeting

Ratepayers Victoria says it can understand why people are frustrated and angry after they were called “agitators” and shut out of a Yarra Ranges Council meeting and police called on Tuesday night.

Dean Hurlston told 3AW Afternoons there had been a “systematic erosion” of democracy and people were turning up to council meetings in “good faith” but having their questions and concerns shut down by council protocols.

“These people aren’t bad people,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear him explain

Yarra Ranges Council wouldn’t come on 3AW to address the issue but said the meeting was shut to the public following “a number of outbursts” from people attending the meeting and concerns about the safety of councillors and staff.