Councillor accused of ‘disrespectful’ behaviour

While Davis’ video did not name Giles, she said in her statement it was “impossible” to not assume the video “casting aspersions on the presence of the chair” was about her.

“The coincidence in factors being my absence that evening, the deputy chair in the meeting, the timing of the post and indeed reference to the time and length of the meeting,” she said.

Giles told the meeting that receiving a payment of $1500 for one meeting was an “outrageous claim”.

“More like $630 per month, not per meeting, regardless of how many times a committee meets, regardless of the work outside the committee meetings to ensure we have a good understanding of the issues and the attendance at events, meetings and activities in our portfolio areas,” she said.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith also disputed the claims in Davis’ video in her own video response via Instagram last week.

Giles then alleged Davis had shown a “pattern of behaviour”.

“Is it an accident that this same councillor whose trigger-happy social media presence has consistently attacked and disrespected the female presiding member of this council, and now another female presiding member,” Giles said.

“Lord Mayor, this behaviour seems to be disruptive, disrespectful…”, with the councillor saying she believed it could discourage some from running for office.

Lomax-Smith has previously issued two defamation warnings to Davis regarding comments he has made about her in a council meeting and comments made in a video published on his Instagram page.

In regard to the defamation warning, Davis told InDaily in June that he has “a lot of respect” for Lomax-Smith.

When given the opportunity to respond to Giles’ comments in the council chamber, Lomax-Smith asked Davis to address “the behaviour, not the theme of the committees”.

“The point I am trying to make, that I think was glossed over and attacked me personally on this issue, is we should have one committee chaired by our very capable Deputy Lord Mayor who already gets paid 1.5 times loading and that would cost rate payers no additional funds,” Davis said.

Davis has long criticised the council’s committee structure and the remunerated committee positions.

Four committees have elected members as chairs. Two chairs are women, two are men.

Davis told InDaily today that the “political hit” would not stop him from raising serious issues with the city.

“This has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with ripping off ratepayers,” he said.

“I won’t be intimidated, I won’t be silenced and nobody in South Australia is buying into this nonsense.

“I have had an outpouring of support from my community and South Australians everywhere who are seeing me hold this faction to account and I’ve been repeatedly encouraged not to let this ugly and desperate slur deter me from shining a light on the wastage of this council.”