A regular fortnightly council meeting in southern Tasmania descended into unrest after a councillor called a Deputy Mayor "girl" and yelled in an angry outburst that he might "go off my head … and tear this place apart".
On Monday night, David Grace — a councillor for Kingborough Council, south of Hobart — was asked by Deputy Mayor Jo Westwood to stop interjecting.
Mr Grace had been asking questions throughout the meeting, but it was during discussion about rates relief for a developer that the tension escalated.
"I am getting very annoyed with you and I don't want you interjecting anymore … if you keep interjecting I will eject you from this part of the meeting," Ms Westwood said.
Mr Grace replied:
The argument continued with Mr Grace telling the Deputy Mayor he was entitled to "debate things", to which Ms Westwood replied he was entitled to a set number of minutes, just like every other councillor.
Mr Grace then became angry about the threat of being ejected.
Ms Westwood then yelled and pointed towards the door "leave the meeting, go. You will leave the meeting, I have warned you."
Mr Grace, who has previously been ordered to undertake anger management training, then said: "Go and get the cops."
"Is that what I need to do, to eject you from the meeting? Are you leaving or am I calling the police?" Ms Westwood responded, picking up her phone.
At that point, another councillor, Christian Street, recommended an adjournment, which was called for seven minutes.
On returning Ms Westwood apologised for being "unprofessional" and said she and Mr Grace had spoken in the tea room.
Mr Grace also apologised.
"Thank you Councillor Grace, I accept your apology and I do enjoy your passion — when it is called for," Ms Westwood said.
