49Suspension from meeting

49 Suspension from meeting

(1)  The chairperson of a meeting may suspend a councillor from part or all of the meeting if the councillor –

(a) makes a personal reflection about another councillor or an employee of the council and refuses to apologise; or

(b) interjects repeatedly; or

(c) disrupts the meeting and disobeys a call to order by the chairperson.

(2)  Before deciding to suspend a councillor, the chairperson is to –

(a) advise the councillor that suspension is being considered and of the reasons for considering suspension; and

(b) give the councillor an opportunity to argue against suspension or to apologise.

(3)  If, after considering any argument or apology from a councillor under subregulation (2) , the chairperson suspends the councillor, the councillor –

(a) must leave the meeting; and

(b) must not attend the meeting while suspended.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(4)  The chairperson may request the assistance of a police officer to remove a councillor who refuses to leave a meeting as required under subregulation (3)(a) .