Local politics is famous for its skirmishes between councillors. The elected body is often a mixed bag of politicians from different political persuasions, and vigorous disputes over policy frequently spill from the council chamber into the media.

When, in 2016, the NSW government moved to enshrine a new definition of the role of councillors into the Local Government Act, its critics warned the provision could have a stifling effect on political debate at council level.

Armidale mayor Simon Murray and deputy mayor Dorothy Robinson disagree over the council's draft media policy, which proposes to limit the extent to which councillors can express their views in the media. Credit:Madeline Link/Armidale Express

The provision required, among other things, that councillors perform their job responsibly and represent the interests of their community.

Most contentious, however, was the requirement that councillors "uphold and represent accurately the policies and decisions of the governing body".