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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Benita Kolovos

Victorian council did not impede democracy by closing public gallery over disruptions, court rules

Darren Dickson launched legal proceedings in the supreme court. He claimed the Yarra Ranges council’s decision to close the public gallery ‘alienated the people of the community from participating in the democratic process’.
Darren Dickson launched legal proceedings in the supreme court. He claimed the Yarra Ranges council’s decision to close the public gallery ‘alienated the people of the community from participating in the democratic process’. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

A Victorian council’s decision to hold meetings online did not prevent residents from participating in the democratic process, a supreme court judge has found.

In April, Yarra Ranges council announced it would close its public gallery for council meetings, citing verbal abuse and intimidation from some of those attending, including members of the conspiracist group My Place.

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