FELLOW councillors have stood behind Jacqui Rudge in her efforts to bring a zero tolerance stance to bullying, harassment and intimidation in local politics.
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She lodged the notice of motion to last week's Bathurst Regional Council meeting, requesting that council agree to have zero tolerance for any candidates in the upcoming election who engage in these behaviours.
The zero tolerance would apply to both new candidates and incumbents.
It comes after she claimed to have experienced bullying, harassment and intimidation during her first term on council, some of which she said was at the the hands of fellow councillors.
She also received an anonymous letter, which threatened to expose her mental health history if she didn't resign from council.
The letter is still under investigation by Chifley Police District.
At last week's meeting, councillors echoed her calls for people to refrain from bullying, harassment and intimidation.
Councillor Monica Morse wore a symbolic white jacket as she spoke in favour of the notice of motion.
The jacket was a strategic choice made as part of the Wear White 2 Unite campaign, which aims to get men and women to come together to end workplace bullying.
"I shouldn't have to wear it, I shouldn't have to stand up and talk about bullying, because as council we have a code of conduct, and anyone standing for council should be aware of that code, which they'll have to adhere to if they are elected," Cr Morse said.
"I therefore remind all candidates - and I hope that they can be listening to this and they should commit to it - that bullying and harassment is behaviour that is not wanted by the person, offends, humiliates or intimidates the person, and creates a hostile environment.
"We have a code of conduct. It is on our website and we all as councillors endeavour to do that. I know we get excited sometimes and people think we are angry, but we do not tolerate bullying."
Deputy mayor Ian North said he had "never in this chamber seen someone get bullied and intimidated", but had experienced threats in the community himself.
He said the biggest problem is social media.
"No councillor should have to enter council, and I certainly never entered council to have myself being targeted, to have people say they want to bash my face in and stuff like that. That's wrong, but I find the most intimidating thing is social media," he said.
"... I'm really sorry that Cr Rudge feels that way, it shouldn't happen, no one should feel that way, but it is social media that we should be very aware of."
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