Andrew Thaler has been surrounded by misconduct allegations this year. Photo: Claire Fenwicke.
Controversial councillor Andrew Thaler has been suspended from Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) once again, marking the third time he has been suspended this year over allegations of misconduct.
It means he now may be disqualified from operating as a councillor for five years, depending on what happens with any appeals.
This is because under the relevant legislation, a councillor will be disqualified from holding civic office for five years if they have been suspended three times for misconduct.
Cr Thaler appeared to remain unrepentant in his submissions regarding his third suspension, saying his attitude was one of “reply and amplify … [you] reply to the s-t that gets thrown at [you], by throwing it back. With interest.”
“This demonstrates an ongoing risk that Cr Thaler may continue to engage in such conduct, without regard for the impact on others, thereby posing a serious risk to the health and safety of those targeted,” NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure secretary Kiersten Fishburn wrote in her recent decision.
Cr Thaler was elected to SMRC in September 2024 after he received 0.96 per cent of formal votes, but has been suspended from civic office since May.
He appealed his first three-month suspension, but lost. He also appealled the second three-month suspension he was given from August, but failed to temporarily block this, too. The final outcome of this second appeal is still pending.
This week, Ms Fishburn ordered him to be suspended for three months for the third time, starting on 6 November.
She was satisfied he engaged in misconduct and also ordered him to apologise for this misconduct, which related to comments he made in social media posts and videos published between May and August 2025.
These comments were made about two former politicians with The Nationals as well as fellow councillors.
Ms Fishburn said she was taking disciplinary action partly due to Mr Thaler’s failure to express any remorse, which indicated a lack of insight into the inappropriateness of the conduct.
“[The] conduct was directed towards not just other members of council but also members of the public,” she said.
“The conduct occurred over a number of months, which indicates an ongoing pattern of inappropriate conduct by Cr Thaler through his social media accounts – this evidences his disregard for the impact his conduct has on others.”
She also said his submissions, which he made earlier this month, lacked insight into his conduct, particularly in relation to comments targeting individuals’ physical appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or containing sexually suggestive remarks.
An SMRC spokesperson noted Cr Thaler was provided the opportunity to make a submission prior to this disciplinary action being undertaken.
“Given this is his third suspension for misconduct (subject to the outcome of any legal applications he might make), Councillor Thaler will be disqualified from holding civic office for a period of five years under provisions in the Local Government Act, from the date the suspension order comes into effect,” a spokesperson for the Office of Local Government said.
“Mr Thaler has lodged an application to stay the suspension which is being heard in NCAT on 31 October 2025.
“As this matter is now the subject of an NCAT hearing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
Cr Thaler was contacted for comment.
Original Article published by Albert McKnight on About Regional.
