Protester claims mayor singled him out over sign at council meeting
A ratepayer claims the mayor singled him out over his protest sign.
Ben Childs joined about 50 ratepayers at a September Northern Midlands Council meeting to protest a $600,000 property purchase. Holding a 'Tell the Truth' sign, he sat among dozens of other protestors.
As public question time began, mayor Mary Knowles asked him to put the sign down, repeating the request minutes later. Childs said he felt targeted, noting that at a January meeting many people held signs without any comment from the mayor.
The council said the direction was general and not aimed at him specifically. However, multiple councillors said they believed Childs had been singled out.
The tension centred on whether his sign's wording, implying the council had withheld truth, crossed a line.
- $600,000
- Property purchase cost
- 81 High Street, Campbell Town
- Property address
- about 50
- Ratepayers at meeting
- Mary Knowles
- Mayor
Why it mattersHow councils handle protest at public meetings directly affects what residents can do when opposing spending decisions.
AustraliaNorthern Midlands ratepayers in Tasmania are watching how their council interprets rules for protest during official meetings.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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