Hume City Council has asked police to investigate the alleged recording and publication of an ‘unauthorised’ recording of a private council meeting that was shared on social media.
It is claimed the recording was made in early 2024 and published in October, when local election campaigns were in full swing. In a letter to police, council does not state who was recorded, what was discussed, or who is alleged to have shared the recording.
The letter, signed by council CEO Sheena Frost and sent to inspector Dean Clinton, Hume Local Area Commander, states: “An unauthorised and undisclosed recording of a private council briefing held in early 2024 was published to social media during the recent local government election period where confidential items were discussed.
“This recording was taken without the consent of all attendees (both in person and online) and circulated on social media through an account in the name of someone who was not a party to the meeting where the recording was taken.
Section 11 states: “… a person must not knowingly communicate or publish a record or report of a private conversation or private activity that has been made as a direct or indirect result of the use of a listening device, an optical surveillance device or a tracking device.”
The maximum penalty for anyone prosecuted and found guilty of the offence is two years in prison or a level 7 fine of 240 penalty units, or both.
Ms Frost asked Mr Clinton to investigate the allegation “to support the integrity of council operations and privacy rights of those involved in the conversation which was recorded without consent”.
