Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Kempsey councillor refuses to resign after violent online comment
Kempsey Shire councillor Noel Selby says he will not resign after an investigation found he posted a violent comment to a woman online.
The woman had raised concerns about domestic violence, and the comment said it was a “pity he hadn't bashed you.”
Selby says his Facebook page was hacked and says he is against domestic violence.
Councillors unanimously censured him and asked him to resign, but the council says it cannot force him to leave.
It also recommended that he consider a men's behavioural-change program, though Selby has not said whether he will attend.
The case will go to the Office of Local Government, which could consider disqualifying him as a councillor.
Kempsey Shire councillor Noel Selby says he will not resign after an investigation found he posted a violent comment to a woman online.
The comment was described in the investigation as saying it was a “pity he hadn't bashed you” to a woman raising domestic violence concerns.
Councillors unanimously voted to censure Selby, request his resignation and recommend that he attend a men's behavioural-change program.
Selby said he stood by his claim that his Facebook page had been hacked and that he opposed domestic violence.
The matter will be referred to the Office of Local Government, which could consider disqualifying him as a councillor.
- Who
- Kempsey Shire councillor Noel Selby and the council's other councillors.
- What
- Selby refused to resign after an investigation found he made a violent online comment. Councillors censured him and requested his resignation.
- When
- The council's decision was reported on October 20, 2026. The exact date of the meeting is not stated.
- Where
- Kempsey Shire, on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
- Why
- The council acted after an investigation into complaints about a post from Selby's personal Facebook account that addressed a woman raising domestic violence concerns.
Noel Selby
Kempsey Shire councillors
Resignation
Noel Selby
Selby said he would not resign.
Kempsey Shire councillors
Councillors unanimously requested that he resign.
Online comment
Noel Selby
Selby said his Facebook page was hacked and that he opposed domestic violence.
Kempsey Shire councillors
An independent investigator found that he made the comment, and councillors said a censure alone did not match its severity.
Kempsey Shire Council engaged Centium to investigate complaints about a post from Selby's personal Facebook account.
After more than an hour of confidential discussion, councillors unanimously voted to censure Selby, request his resignation and recommend a behavioural-change program.
The matter was to be referred to the Office of Local Government for further consideration.
- Councillor
- Noel Selby
- Council
- Kempsey Shire Council, New South Wales
- Investigator
- Centium
- Council action
- Censure, request for resignation and recommendation to attend a men's behavioural-change program
- Possible next step
- Referral to the Office of Local Government; possible disqualification as a councillor
What people are saying
We can't make Cr Selby resign, but we can request that he resign
I stand by my original statement that my FB page was hacked!
I hope we're sending a very, very clear message to the community we don't condone violence, or threats or intimidation, particularly to women
We do need to know that sort of behaviour can't be …