“BETTER than a kick in the dick” was not the response Corangamite mayor Jo Beard was expecting at a meeting with Roads Minister Luke Donnellan.
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The minister has been forced to apologise for his comment about being kicked in the nether regions after the issue was raised by Nationals MP Steph Ryan in parliament on Tuesday.
Councillor Beard, along with Corangamite chief executive officer Andrew Mason, was at a meeting with Mr Donnellan, a number of his staff and a VicRoads representative about two weeks ago.
“We were meeting in relation to advocating for better funding and addressing the issue here with the arterial road network,” Cr Beard said.
She admits she was surprised by the response to a question about current funding levels for roads.
“Yes, the comment was made,” Cr Beard said.
“I personally did not take offence to it but I was certainly surprised a senior minister would say a comment like that – whether it was to me or anyone.”
Mr Donnellan called Cr Beard about the comment made at the meeting on Monday.
“I actually spoke to the mayor yesterday and indicated that it was inappropriate use of language and … what I should of said (was) ‘it was better than a kick in the head,” he said.
Cr Beard said she accepted Mr Donnellan’s apology.
“Obviously when he rang me yesterday to apologise, which I accept, I certainly made sure he understood I was disappointed, but I personally didn’t feel like it was aimed at me.”
Cr Beard said she had always had a respectful relationship with both sides of politics.
“I don’t see that being jeopardised,” she said.
Cr Beard said she would continue to push for increased road funding for the Corangamite Shire.
Mr Donnellan came under fire from South West Coast MP Roma Britnell earlier this month after he labelled anyone who was concerned about wire rope barriers as "dingbats".