A HILLS councillor has slammed as ‘misogynistic’ an email suggesting new mayor Michelle Byrne would struggle to fulfil her duties because she was a mother.

Cr Byrne was elected to the top job on Tuesday night, along with Cr Yvonne Keane who was voted in as deputy mayor.

Both women are Liberal councillors and are mothers to young children. Cr Bryne has baby twin girls.

This morning, Labor Councillor Tony Hay sent an email to all councillors and council staff about the election of Cr Byrne as mayor.

“How good is this that Cr Yvonne Keane can assist in representing the mayor during her competing motherhood -v- mayoralhood duties,” he wrote.

“Only an existing mother can know how the demands of motherhood for a single child can be multiplied for a multiple birth.

“We can expect the deputy mayor to fulfil most of the popular duties of a mayor who is predominated with motherhood rather than mayoralhood.”

Liberal Cr Mike Thomas said he was horrified by Cr Hay’s remarks.

“I thought they were very misogynistic and I think he should apologise for them,” he said.

media_camera Mayor Michelle Byrne media_camera Labor Cr Tony Hay.

Labor Councillor Ray Harty said Cr Hay’s comments were unfortunate.

“There are some things such as family, a person’s private life that should not be politicised,” he said.

Cr Byrne said the comments were not only an insult to herself, but women everywhere.

“Working mums have a lot to contribute and we should be encouraging them to take on senior leadership positions, particularly in government, where they can make a difference to the community instead of discriminating against them on the basis of having children,” she said.

Cr Keane said she was offended by Cr Hay’s comments.

“I didn’t realise he had time travelled back to the 1950s. Last time I checked it was 2015,” she said.

“We are two working mums working together and we need to see more of that. We certainly don’t need to have offensive comments like that.

“It’s doing nothing to advance the cause of gender equality.”

Former mayor Cr Andrew Jefferies said Cr Hay’s remarks appear to have breached council’s code of conduct and he called on general manager Dave Walker to investigate.

Cr Hay did not return calls for comment.

More to come ...