Josh Gilligan, the Mayor of Wyndham Vale in Melbourne's west, has been suspended from his council duties for a month due to a misconduct finding related to an inappropriate Facebook post. An independent arbiter reported that Gilligan's comments about former mayor Kim McAliney, in which he referred to her as a 'raging lunatic', were deemed belittling and abusive, violating the council's code of conduct. The investigation was initiated after McAliney publicly criticized the council's decision to allocate funds for a $37 million project, prompting Gilligan's derogatory response.

The report was presented during a council meeting on Tuesday night and has significant implications for the council's governance and public image. Gilligan’s comments not only reflect poorly on his personal judgment but also raise questions about the standards of conduct expected from elected officials. The council's decision to suspend him demonstrates a commitment to maintaining professional behavior and accountability among its members, especially regarding public interaction on social media.

Following the suspension, the council is under pressure to restore trust and ensure that such behavior is not tolerated moving forward. This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny that public officials face in the age of social media, where comments can quickly escalate and lead to significant consequences. Ultimately, the council's action may serve as a warning to other elected officials about the importance of maintaining decorum in their public communications, especially in light of ongoing public and media scrutiny.