CAIRNS Mayor Val Schier has backflipped on statements she made that councillors could not publicly discuss upcoming council debates and decisions. 

Councillors yesterday rejected en masse Cr Schier’s comments that an agreement had been made forbidding councillors talking about items listed for council meetings.

Cr Schier has since back-tracked saying "any councillor can air personal opinion on any matters" and that more open debate meant more informed decisions for the benefit of the people of the region.

Councillors contacted by The Cairns Post yesterday before Cr Schier’s statement said they had no recollection of any ban.

Deputy Mayor Margaret Cochrane said no councillor had been directed not to speak about items on the agenda or any other issue, except budget workshops.

She said she was "disappointed" at the mayor’s interpretation of what a ban on speaking about agenda items meant.

"It doesn’t mean we cannot talk about it. It means we cannot jeopardise outcomes in the chamber," Cr Cochrane said.

Cr Alan Blake said the mayor’s reported view that she could not speak about issues set to come before council such as Villa Romana’s footpath encroachment was misguided.

"The mayor is not gagged. She can talk about Villa. It’s a topic of discussion," he said.

Cr Sno Bonneau said he was unaware of any gag.

Cr Linda Cooper said she had no idea where the mayor’s idea they could not comment had come from while Cr Rob Pyne refused to be bowed by anybody.

"I can assure you there is no one on this council that could gag me even if they wanted to," he said.

Cr Di Forsyth said she thought the issue was a "beat up" against the mayor but could not say if there was or was not an agreement and Cr Kirsten Lesina thought while a no-discussion rule on some issues had been raised, she said there was nothing formal about it.

Cr Julia Leu said she was unaware of any agreement but thought raising the issue was an unfair attack on the mayor.

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