Sydney Council in Crisis as Mayor Accused of Doxxing Labor MP
A Sydney council has been plunged into crisis after a Labor MP accused Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun of publishing her home address online, claiming it endangered her family's safety. The explosive allegations have ignited a fierce political row just days before a costly council by-election.
Address Published in Heated Social Media Video
Charishma Kaliyanda, the Liverpool MP, alleged that Mayor Ned Mannoun published her residential address in a heated social media video posted on Wednesday. In the video, Mannoun blamed unions, Labor powerbrokers, and alleged bullying for forcing an expensive council by-election following the resignation of former deputy mayor Dr Betty Green.
'I am aware that the Mayor published a social media post last night that included my home address,' Kaliyanda wrote on Facebook on Thursday. 'That post was subsequently shared into multiple Facebook groups by the Liberal candidate and councillor Richard Ammoun.'
The MP stressed that this was not merely a political tactic but constituted doxxing and potentially criminal conduct. 'This is not just a political tactic, it is doxxing and potentially criminal conduct,' she declared.
Safety Concerns and Political Fallout
Kaliyanda emphasized that the incident had directly threatened her family's safety, referencing recent cases where MPs have been stalked and threatened. 'No one should feel unsafe in their own home because of their work in public service. This behaviour crosses a clear line,' she stated firmly.
'It is dangerous, unacceptable and unworthy of public office.' The MP's concerns highlight growing anxieties about the safety of public officials in Australia.
The incident originated from an almost four-minute video in which Mannoun addressed the fallout from Dr Betty Green's sudden resignation. Dr Green's exit has forced Liverpool ratepayers to fund a by-election expected to cost between $500,000 and a staggering $1 million.
Electoral Commission Form Shown Unredacted
The controversial video displayed a NSW Electoral Commission form containing Kaliyanda's home address from her 2021 run for council. Dr Green's address was also visible on the form. While the Electoral Commission collects candidate addresses for verification purposes, residential addresses are typically redacted from documents available to the public.
However, in this instance, the unredacted version was shown instead of the censored copy. An edited version of the video, with the candidates' addresses removed, was reuploaded by Mannoun on Thursday after the original clip was hastily deleted when Kaliyanda contacted him.
Mayor Claims Error and Points to Political Targeting
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mannoun said the address had been shared in error and was taken from the NSW Electoral Commission's website. He claimed he was unaware that the address listed was Kaliyanda's personal residence, adding that the section of the video was intended to highlight a donation by the United Services Union to the Labor campaign.
Mannoun also asserted that he and his family had been targeted by Labor-aligned campaigns, alleging that opponents had previously published his home address online while sharing information about his development application.
Legal Implications and By-Election Context
Doxxing, defined as the public release of someone's private information without consent, can be criminal in New South Wales if it involves stalking, intimidation, harassment, misuse of private data, threats, or incitement. The allegations against Mannoun raise serious legal questions as the community prepares for the by-election to replace Dr Betty Green, scheduled for Saturday.
The political atmosphere in Liverpool remains tense, with the doxxing accusations casting a shadow over the electoral process and highlighting broader concerns about conduct in public office.
