"Pity he hadn't bashed you."

An independent investigator found that Kempsey Shire Councillor Noel Selby posted this to a woman who raised concerns about domestic violence. Council censured him and unanimously asked him to resign. He refuses, but says he'll go if the community asks.

In April this year, a comment was posted from Councillor Noel Selby's Facebook account to a woman who had raised concerns about gendered violence. His comment read: "pity he hadn't bashed you" 

Cr Selby has said his account was hacked. An independent investigator considered the evidence and found, on the balance of probabilities, that he posted the comment. The investigator also found it breached Council's Code of Conduct because it amounted to intimidation and harassment, created a hostile environment, and could damage Council's reputation. Council accepted those findings. On 20 October 2026, it formally censured Cr Selby, unanimously asked him to resign, recommended he attend a Men's Behaviour Change Program, and referred the matter to the NSW Office of Local Government.

Cr Selby has refused to resign. Council cannot remove a councillor; it can only ask. Now the community must add its voice.

Cr. Noel Selby has since replied  to concerned  local residents on the Kempsey Macleay Community News and Services Facebook page claiming that he would resign if residents asked. By signing this petition, we are asking.

 Sign this petition and stand with us in demanding accountability and fostering a safer, more respectful society.