LOCAL government minister Paul Miles has been asked to sack Fremantle councillor Sam Wainwright following his arrest at anti-Roe protests on Wednesday morning.
Beaconsfield resident and former council candidate Andrew Luobikis has written to Mr Miles saying Cr Wainwright breached a section of Fremantle’s code of conduct which orders elected members to uphold the law.
On Wednesday morning around 9.30am Cr Wainwright, his Melville counterpart Tim Barling and two others were arrested after chaining themselves to fencing around the route of the controversial Roe 8 highway extension.
While the other three were charged with ignoring move-on notices, Cr Wainwright also copped a charge of trespass. It carries a maximum penalty of one year in gaol, and if found guilty he could potentially face disqualification from sitting on council.
• Cr Wainwright in a police paddy wagon after his arrest.
Cr Wainwright’s bail conditions also ban him from going near the Roe 8 protest camp for a month.
He told the Herald other than a bruised wrist, he’d come out of the ordeal ok and would discuss the ramifications of a trespass charge with lawyers. But he defended the right of councillors to join protests.
“I think it is valid as a councillor to take part in protests on a non-violent basis,” he said.
“I was doing it as a personal position, not on behalf of the City of Fremantle, although the city has taken an official position against Roe 8.
“With the support from people there on the day and on social media, I feel that it was the right thing to do,” he said. Cr Wainwright says he hadn’t started the day expecting to be arrested, but felt action was needed when a bulldozer arrived.
But Mr Luobikis says the code of conduct is clear and Cr Wainwright’s actions unacceptable.
“This type of behaviour is unbecoming of the position he holds to represent the community,” says Mr Luobikis.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK and STEVE GRANT
Sounds like Andrew is right on the money
Since when does a Councillor have tight to break the law
He can protest but it doesn’t excuse criminal action
Sam Wainwright’s actions tangibly demonstrate that he is a person of integrity and conviction who is in touch with his electorate, unlike Andrew Luobikis, and even more sadly, unlike the editors of our local paper…
Well said Renee Schipp. When facing a corrupt system, other actions of humanity and moral integrity must be made. I applaud Sam Wainwright’s action! Hero in my eyes standing up for what is right.
Well done Sam for defending the wetlands against the Roe8 mistake.
So he should be sacked before even being convicted?
I can see that Andrew Luobikis believes in due process, innocent until proven guilty and all that. Yes, just the sort of person who should be in government.
It’s also interesting that he doesn’t seem to be calling out the various transgressions being perpetrated to push ahead with this project.
Sorry Andrew, but this is all a bit transparent. You really will have to come to grips with the fact that a lefty is on the council and enjoys a lot of local support for having the courage to stand up to vandalistic and absurd projects.