Police Eject Ratepayers as Browne’s Past Haunts Kentish

An explosive Kentish Council meeting on Tuesday night saw police called to eject two ratepayers whose presence in the gallery was considered unwelcome.

A poor relationship with the public is dogging Kentish Council, forcing them to put out a statement “in response to the disruptive action of persons attending Kentish Council’s July Ordinary Council Meeting.”

“This isn’t about shutting down conversation – it’s about ensuring that it happens respectfully,” said Mayor Kate Haberle in the statement.

The incident comes as various councils across Tasmania are adopting ‘Difficult Customer’ policies and using them to silence critics. The heavy hand in the Kentish case is that of General Manager Jason Browne.

He has issued letters (see below) that include banning a person not on proven bad behaviour, but on “a risk that you may be disruptive to Council’s scheduled meetings.”

It is just over 12 months since Browne was employed as the new General Manager of Latrobe and Kentish councils, following his sudden departure from the Huon Valley Council on 3 October 2023.

As Tasmanian Times reported at the time, Browne was given the option to resign or to be dismissed after again failing what was his second GM performance review. Under a cloud of secrecy he was sent on his way with a golden handshake payout of $98,308. Recruitment fees, legal fees and councillor training over the Browne debacle totalled $66,597 of ratepayers’ monies over and above his termination payout.

Tasmanian Times has been advised that his employment with Latrobe and Kentish councils was also undertaken in secrecy with a behind closed doors appointment sealed between Mayor Peter Freshney and Browne, to the exclusion of other councillors.

At the Kentish Council Ordinary Meeting of Tuesday night, 15 July 2025, Mayor Haberle called a fifteen minute recess at 18:03 with herself and councillors then leaving the chamber. The meeting resumed at 19:00.

During the break four officers from Tasmania Police arrived to request Andrew Stanley and Robin Thomas, local Kentish ratepayers, to leave the building under the threat of trespass.

There were some 15 residents and ratepayers in the gallery at the time.

Reportedly, there was also a journalist in the gallery who is assumed to be from the ABC’s 4 Corners team who were in Sheffield that same afternoon, filming and questioning various people about the toxic culture and issues within the council.

Tasmanian Times has also been contacted, and is investigating an unfair dismissal case along with the loss of six staff from the Latrobe Council in the past two months.

Behind this police intervention are letters that were sent from Browne to these two ratepayers (and there are others), advising of limited access to council meetings.

It is alleged they have exhibited “aggressive, intimidatory, or violent behaviour towards councillors and staff, (sic) similarly for abusive, humiliating and bullying behaviour.”

“Acting to reduce this risk, I have decided to limit the nature and scope of your engagement with Council in accordance with Council’s Dealing with Difficult Customer Behaviour Policy, namely considering where greater access may encourage or allow rude and abusive behaviour,” stated Browne in his letter.

“This letter provides formal notice that you are not to attend any Council meetings, or Council offices / chambers.

“This restriction is effective for a period of 12 months, from 17 June 2025.”

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