“A pack of grinches”: How Christmas comments landed a Knox councillor in hot water

A clash over whether or not to spend $15,000 on Christmas bows has led to a pause for one local member.

Author

Matthew Sims
March 10, 2026

A Knox councillor is set to be suspended over comments he made last July during a push for the council to spend its own money on Christmas decorations.

❓ What happened? The debate first reared its head last March, with Knox councillor Robert Williams proposing a $50,000 budget commitment towards a range of decorations including red bows, bin coverings and an initiative encouraging local traders to decorate their windows.

  • Over the coming months, the item went back and forth between rejections and further refinings, with the final motion at the September 8 meeting seeing Knox Council commit $15,000 towards installing red bows at selected retail precincts across Knox.

  • Knox councillor Peter Lockwood was on the side supporting the Christmas celebrations.

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Parents were disheartened to hear council staff respond to their questions during this week’s council meeting with a flat refusal to consider the extra pay bumps – arguing it already pays workers above the award rate.

👍 Likes and disruption: In August, a claim of misconduct was made against Lockwood by then-Knox mayor, councillor Lisa Cooper.

These claims were made by Cooper alongside councillors Glen Atwell, Meagan Baker and Parisa Considine.

  • Allegations included Lockwood being “very disruptive” during the council meeting and “liking” a social media post the four councillors allege was untrue and defamatory towards the council.

  • Other claims of misconduct related to councillor Lockwood calling certain councillors “a pack of grinches”.

👩‍⚖️ Official findings: Jo-Anne Mazzeo, an independent arbiter appointed by the State Government, made a finding of misconduct against councillor Lockwood and decided to suspend him for one calendar month from March 10.

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Areas in Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully and The Basin were flagged as potential landslip or mudslide risk zones.

🎀 What now? Whether or not the bows will return this year – or the council’s decorations will be expanded – is yet to be seen, as the council has been busy shaping the budget for the next financial year.

  • The draft budget is set to be released for the final round of consultation in April before being approved in June.