Wingecarribee Shire councillor Duncan Gair has told fellow councillor Larry Whipper to "pull his head in" following Cr Whipper's comments over council's action for illegal tree felling involving the Prime Minister's brother.
Cr Gair said while some councillors had been outspoken about the case, the family of Stanley Howard had been unable to respond because they were yet to be served with a notice specifying the charges against them, although they had been advised of council plans to take legal action.
"Comments made by councillors publicly without allowing Mr Howard right of response because (the Howards) don't know what they have been charged with is wrong and is weakening council's position," he said.
"If council wants to maintain its position then we should do so with dignity rather than political grandstanding."
Cr Nick Campbell-Jones and Cr Jim Mauger have publicly dissented from council's decision to prosecute the Howards for removal of trees from Wallingwood, while Cr Larry Whipper has described the clearing as "brutalisation of an endangered sociological community".
Cr Gair said he had spoken to Stan and Caroline Howard and did not believe the clearing was an act of environmental vandalism, but simply done in ignorance of tree clearing regulations.
[Full story: SHN, Wednesday, January 18, 2006]
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