Council condemns occupational violence

Published on 26 November 2025

Last night, Council passed an urgent motion condemning the attack against Council’s Chief Executive Officer, reaffirmed its support for all Councillors and officers in the work they carry out and asserted that they are entitled to a safe working environment.

Last week, Mr Thomas had a coffee thrown at him by a community member after a brief discussion outside a coffee shop on Albert Street in Daylesford.

Council reiterated its zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse both in person and online.

Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, said that the attack was unacceptable and intolerable, and that violence is never the answer.

“Abuse, aggressive attacks and threatening behaviour are never okay. Everyone deserves to feel safe when at work and out and about in our community,” said Cr Clark.

“Council will request an urgent meeting between myself as Mayor, Mr Thomas, the Minister for Police and Minister for Local Government to discuss what improvements will be made to legislation to safeguard the physical and online safety of Councillors and Council officers,” he said.

Council will continue to advocate to the Municipal Association of Victoria for a statewide campaign to address poor behaviour, disinformation and misinformation in our communities.

The incident was reported to Victoria Police who are investigating the matter.

Council resolution

That Council:

1. Formally condemns the physical attack by a member of our community on the Chief Executive Officer last week;
2. Notes that Council has a zero tolerance to any form of abuse both online or in-person;
3. Reaffirms its support for all Councillors and officers in the work they undertake and asserts that they are entitled to a safe working environment at all times;
4. Calls on local community online forums to value open debate but ensure that it stays grounded in fact and respect;
5. Request an urgent meeting for the Mayor and CEO with the Minister for Police and Minister for Local Government to discuss what improvements state government will consider to legislation to support staff in all industries, but in particular local government, to be able to undertake their roles free from occupational violence; and
6. Request an urgent update from the Municipal Association of Victoria on their progress to address occupational violence, as passed at the October State Council Meeting.