Mark Dal Bon (inset) won’t have to adjust his wardrobe. Photo: File.
Maverick Griffith councillor Mark Dal Bon will continue to wear flannelette shirts to meetings after his colleagues narrowly voted to support his motion to eliminate the requirement to wear ‘business casual’ from 2026.
Eight councillors attended the recent meeting and the vote was four-all on Cr Dal Bon’s motion.
If votes are tied, Mayor Doug Curran gets to vote again to break the tie. Although his initial vote was against Cr Dal Bon, he used his casting vote to support him.
“Looking around the room, I see nice diverse clothing attire, everyone looks respectable and I don’t think we need a dress code,” Cr Dal Bon said.
The result of the vote means councillors can continue to wear what they want to meetings. Cr Dal Bon has said he wears flannel because he wants to show people he hasn’t changed since before he was elected to the local government body.
The ‘business casual’ vote was part of a broader debate on the adoption of a new meeting code to come into effect on 1 January 2026.
Unlike the dress code clause, most aspects of the code are mandated by the NSW Government and can’t be changed.
Some councillors expressed their disgust at a new requirement that prevents councillors from attending meetings remotely, unless they are ill or have urgent caring responsibilities.
“It’s impracticable for rural and regional councils and inconsistent with modern workplaces,” Cr Jenny Ellis said.
“We frequently have the mayor, general manager and councillors attend conferences, regional meetings and professional development outside this city.
“There are people who have jobs that take them away from the city and people who have family needs that take them outside the city.”
She said the new rule could prevent people putting their hand up to stand for local government.
Cr Shari Blumer agreed.
“We all have jobs. Most of us can’t survive on the very generous $20,000 a year that is provided to us, so we need that flexibility … to live our lives and do a lot of other things,” she said.
“There are lots of reasons why people can’t come to a council meeting.”
Cr Blumer also objected to the fact councillors had to vote on something the NSW Government gave them no option but to accept.
“This is another example of them treating us like not even second-class citizens but third-class citizens,” she said.
Mayor Doug Curran said Griffith Council would make its concerns about the new code known.
“Whilst we have to accept it we don’t have to accept it gleefully; we can write to the minister,” he said.
Councillors voted 6-2 in favour of a new code, with only Cr Tony O’Grady and Cr Blumer voting against it.
