Cr Thomas Brough directed to undergo Respectful and Inclusive Workplace training after complaints were made

An Albany councillor and Liberal candidate will undergo inclusivity training, four months after complaints were filed over comments he made linking paedophilia to the LGBTQIA+ community. Cr Thomas Brough will complete the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Training and have his public apology resubmitted to the city’s governance manager to give to fellow councillors. The City of Albany council decided on these actions during a confidential behavioural complaint item at its June 25 meeting with the subject of the complaint subsequently named in an email to complainants with the resolution and action plan. Albany Pride spokesperson Tiger Bird said they were one of several people who received an email on July 1, which mentioned that councillors reached the decision after “thorough discussion and careful consideration”. “To be honest we thought it had been forgotten and brushed under the carpet,” Bird said. “We’re glad that the council has followed it up, it is important for local democracy that complaints are taken seriously. “We understand there’s limitations of what the council can actually do so within the framework it’s really as good as it’s going to get — he knows he can’t just stand up and say whatever he wants. “It’s important that we have a bare minimum of respectability that councillors have to follow.” At the February council meeting, Cr Brough incorrectly suggested the plus in LGBTQIA+ included “minor-attracted persons” — a euphemism for paedophilia. This statement was met with immediate backlash from community members. Cr Brough defended his remarks several times afterwards, before finally apologising in May “for any hurt caused”, days after his confirmation as the Liberal candidate. City of Albany chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the city could not disclose information about the complaints to the public because it related to an elected member. Cr Brough was contacted for comment.