Gill Claps Back at Mayor’s “Keyboard Warrior” Post, Labelling it a “Fabrication” as Council Moves to Save Wallabies
Councillor David Gill has clapped back at Mayor Anthony Marsh’s “keyboard warrior” Facebook post, labelling it a “fabrication” during fiery debate over The Briars wallaby crisis. Although the vote to protect the animals was unanimous, the urgent meeting exposed sharp divisions — and revealed ulterior intentions from the Mayor and the notorious bloc of six.
Councillor David Gill claps back at Mayor Anthony Marsh’s ‘keyboard warrior’ post, labelling it a fabrication, as debate over The Briars wallabies exposes rifts within the notorious bloc of six.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has voted to adopt humane measures to manage the overpopulation of wallabies and kangaroos at The Briars Sanctuary. But the focus on animal welfare was quickly overshadowed by fiery exchanges, with Cr David Gill denouncing Mayor Anthony Marsh’s social media post as “a fabrication” and slamming him as a “keyboard warrior.”
Humane Action at The Briars Sanctuary
Let’s start with the important part, the urgent meeting on 16 September 2025, councillors endorsed a plan to:
Desex part of the macropod population to slow future growth.
Provide supplementary feeding when natural food sources are scarce.
Culling was considered but rejected due to ethical concerns and public opposition.
Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro later closed the debate, describing the outcome as a “collaborative” approach that would ensure animals at The Briars were cared for “now and in the future.”
Cr Gill Labels Marsh’s Post A Fabrication”
Gill, who has long campaigned for wildlife protection across the peninsula, hit back at claims some councillors had resisted urgent action.
“It has been disappointing … to hear things said on the keyboard warriors on social media disparage councillors who have got a long-term reputation in supporting wildlife on the Mornington Peninsula.”
He rejected the Mayor’s claims outright:
“The supposed opposition from some councillors just didn’t happen, that’s not true. There is none. You’ll see with the vote … it’s just not true. It’s a fabrication.”
Mayor Anthony Marsh’s Facebook post thanking members of the notorious bloc of six was labelled as a “Fabrication” by veteran MPSC Councillr David Gill.
Pingiaro Calls for Point of Order
Gill’s remarks immediately rattled the Mayor’s allies. Deputy Mayor Paul Pingiaro squealed for a point of order, insisting an email circulated on 10 September showed councillor opposition did exist.
Mayor Marsh swiftly intervened, accusing Gill of making the same personal criticisms he had earlier condemned, and told him to “get on with the substantive motion.”
The exchange sharpened tensions between Gill and what critics describe as the “notorious bloc of six” councillors aligned with Marsh, who had publicly praised the group in his Facebook post days earlier.
Governance Questions
Other councillors have described the Mayor’s social media post as “unprofessional” and “poor form,” noting that no consensus was sought before he announced the urgent meeting.
A senior council staff member told STPL News the Mayor behaved like “a spoiled child that can’t be controlled,” highlighting internal frustration with his leadership.
Former councillor and mayor Steve Holland has also warned that references to “consensus” suggest decisions are being made in closed briefings, raising concerns under the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic).
Gill stressed that while The Briars required urgent action, the sanctuary was only part of a wider problem. He renewed calls for a Mornington Peninsula Wildlife Management Plan and a wildlife hospital, arguing that roadkill, habitat loss, climate impacts and starvation threaten wildlife across the region.
What Happens Next
Implementation of desexing and feeding measures at The Briars will begin.
Reports will return to council for ongoing monitoring and adjustments.
Debate over governance and leadership is set to continue, with councillors and staff questioning whether the Mayor’s style aligns with standards of transparency and respect.
Comment from the author: The urgent meeting itself had little to do with saving the wallabies. The vote to protect them was unanimous and never in doubt. What played out instead was politics and posturing. Mayor Marsh’s social media theatrics attempted to position himself as the saviour of the sanctuary while preparing his deputy, Paul Pingiaro, to step into the mayoralty in November — with Marsh still pulling the strings from behind the scenes.
