'Robbo' In Hot Water Over Misconduct While Serving As A Newcastle Councillor

 BY IAN CROUCH

Former Newcastle Councillor, Allan Robinson could have costs and penalties awarded against him after being found guilty of misconduct and harassment.

The NSW Civil Administrative Tribunal has found eight complaints against the jockey and former Footy Show star relating to his time on council.

He's been found guilty of bringing council into disrepute for making homophobic and derogatory remarks about fellow councillors, disregarding attempts to bring to order and refusing to withdraw disparaging remarks.

The issue of costs and penalties will be the subject of a hearing on June 1.

Allan Robinson facing penalties and legal costs for misconduct

Shirtless Robbo Chastised For Appearing Unclothed During Newcastle Council Zoom Meeting

 BY IAN CROUCH

A shirtless Allan Robinson has been chastised for appearing unclothed during a public online meeting of Newcastle Council.

Fairfax reports Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes abruptly stopped the development applications committee meeting on Tuesday night when she spotted the bare-chested Councillor Robinson on a Zoom call.

She called Councillor Robinson to order saying he couldn't be unclothed on a council meeting, saying it brings the council into disrepute and she didn't want to deal with it.

Allan Robinson responded and could be seen on the public webcast shirtless, by his comments couldn't be heard.

He later defended his actions saying he wasn't nude and could only be seen above the waist.

He said he was late for the meeting and had been in dirty work clothes from his day job in demolition, removing them so his wife could put them in the wash. 

A leaked image of a shirtless Allan Robinson during the council Zoom meeting - this view was not seen on the public webcast. Picture therherald.com.au

Fresh Calls For Newcastle Councillor Allan Robinson To Resign

 BY IAN CROUCH

There have been tense scenes in Newcastle Council overnight, with fresh calls for councillor Allan Robinson to resign immediately after his excavation and demolition company was fined for illegally dumping construction material last month.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Declan Clausen believes the conviction could put council's Environmental Protection Licence at risk, which could potentially see their licence to operate the Summerhill Tip revoked, creating a public health crisis and putting hundreds of jobs on the line.

Cr Clausen believes a councillor could be deemed a director under fit and proper criteria contained in the Protection of Environment Operations Act.

He also believes the city could be considered a body corporate under the Local Government and POEO Act.

However, council staff have questioned the legal basis for Cr Clausen's view under the legislation.

Independent and Liberal councillors claimed the resignation call was politically motivated.

Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen

Councillor Allan Robinson Picture: theguardian.com