Councillor's Sexual Assault Admission Ignites Community Fury
Residents of a small country town are demanding the immediate removal of a local councillor after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two men. The controversy centres on Chadwick Lucas White, a 43-year-old member of Weddin Shire Council, whose major town is Grenfell in Central West NSW.
Council's Controversial Stance on Removal
Despite White's guilty plea, Weddin Shire Council has asserted there is nothing it can do to remove him from his elected position. In a statement authored by general manager Matthew Sykes, the council explained that the accusations against White had not 'reached the threshold' to justify his removal, even after his admission of guilt.
The council's position hinges on two key arguments: firstly, that White's crimes were 'unrelated' to Weddin Shire Council, and secondly, that none of the victims were 'council officials'. The statement further clarified that the council cannot remove White as his actions had not brought the institution into 'disrepute'.
Legal Proceedings and Community Reaction
White pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual touching and one count of common assault at Young Local Court in December, following his arrest in January 2025. The charges stemmed from allegations that he sexually touched two men at a pub in Grenfell in December 2024.
He received a conditional release order for twelve months, with no conviction recorded. This order mandates that White cannot commit any other offence until it expires in December and requires him to appear before court if summoned during that period.
Community members have expressed vehement opposition to the council's decision. Michelle Cook and Carolyn Shaw-Phillips, representing local sentiment, have publicly challenged the council's rationale.
'The community is very upset about the outcome of the case,' Ms Cook stated. 'How can someone who pleads guilty to charges of a sexual nature against young people in our community, still be held in esteem as an elected member?'
Ms Shaw-Phillips added: 'How is this … not an issue of disrepute? No conviction recorded does not mean that the actions never occurred.'
Broader Implications and Ongoing Developments
The case raises significant questions about accountability and ethical standards for public officials. Between White's arrest and sentencing, the council maintained that the allegations were insufficient for removal, a stance it has upheld post-conviction.
This situation highlights potential gaps in local governance protocols regarding misconduct by elected representatives. The community's outcry underscores a disconnect between administrative interpretations of 'disrepute' and public expectations of moral conduct from councillors.
As the story develops, Daily Mail has reached out to both Weddin Shire Council and Chadwick Lucas White for further comment. The ongoing debate may prompt reviews of council policies and spark wider discussions on the criteria for removing officials convicted of crimes.
