“On 14 December 2010 I answered a public question from Mr Varvodic. In answer to that question I made the point that his questions were all framed with inbuilt assumptions. Specifically, Question 6(c) asked ‘Why wouldn’t you just answer the question the first time honestly and say ‘Yes my son plays in the Frisbee Group’. That question has four inbuilt assumptions, namely:
1. That I have not previously answered that question;
2. That I was not honest.
3. That there is an organisation, body or group called ‘the Frisbee Group’.
4. That my son is a member of that group.
In seeking to demonstrate that the question as framed was cast in innuendo and was thus intellectually dishonest I asked the rhetorical question “May I enquire when you last bashed your wife?” That question was intended to be rhetorical to demonstrate the point I was making. Unfortunately Mr Varvodic misunderstood the response as did some others and took it to mean that I was making an accusation to that effect. In order to clarify my answer, I wish to make it clear that any suggestion that Mr Varvodic bashes his wife is categorically rejected and I unreservedly apologise for any misunderstanding that my response had caused. My comment was strictly rhetorical
Glen Eira Debates 
February 4, 2011 at 5:13 PM
I just can’t believe the sheer arrogance of this guy. How hard is it to put your hand up, say I was wrong, and I am sorry. He is still trying to make excuses on the way out and justify his actions. That to me is not even an apology, that is forced and I congratulate who ever made him apologise. One thing that should be noted here is the total lack of “balls” of this Council. Firstly the Mayor and CEO should have hauled him over the coals on the spot. Secondly how on earth did any other Councillor worth their pinch of salt not stand up to him and say this is totally unacceptable language.
What have we elected here, 9 Marshmellows?
February 4, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Cr Lipshutz,
Although your comments may have been rhetorical, I too would find them offensive and misleading.
Rather than represent your community honestly and openly, you have decided to take a path which questions your credibility.
In fact, this sort of behaviour demonstrates a lack of maturity and dignity.
Lets hope your role in representing our beautiful community of Glen Eira is reviewed immediately.
February 4, 2011 at 6:54 PM
Cr Lipshutz, how did I vote for you last election?
I’ll tell you one thing about a sincere apology.
It does not come with a limp excuse. If you were sincere you would have contacted Nick in person, or at the very least written to him personally. How do I know this, because I asked him!
These other so called Councillors think they are protected when they stick with you, little do they know they will go down with the sinking ship too.
ATTENTION: all other Councillors, your actions or should I say lack of actions are in actual fact condoning abusive language. Dont whinge and carry on when someone asks you when you last bashed your partner.
Feel free to come and discuss this with me in person at Caulfield park on Sunday mornings 10am Oval 2 (with a permit)
February 4, 2011 at 7:16 PM
What is that old adage? Something along the lines of ‘when good men’ shut up and don’t say a word, then tyranny gets a hold. 8 other councillors have been witness to Lipshutz’s continual attack on residents. Not once, not twice, but innumerable times. Each time – apart from Penhalluriack’s comment – all have sat there struck dumb. Mayors have not exerted their authority and shut him up; other councillors have not adhered to the code of conduct by distancing themselves from him, or even going that extra bit and formally censuring him. Lipshitz would appear to be a law unto himself. He can’t take criticism; he can’t answer a question because it would be incriminating; and he can’t abide any opposition to his point of view. The sooner this council is rid of him the better.
February 4, 2011 at 10:36 PM
Cr Lipshutz, you should know that respected and honourable people are voted based on their integrity, values, honesty, initiative and professionalism. However your offensive remark have let you down and perhaps we are seeing the real person. How could you say such a remark “when did you last bash you wife?”. After all the recents efforts by the state and federal government to eradicate this problem its disappointing to have a voted councillor (Lipshutz) respond in such a way. DISGRACEFUL. Then the avoidance to tackle the issues and questions of the residents is the icing on the cake. In my opinion, we are seeing the true Lipshutz come out. Shame on you
February 5, 2011 at 3:10 PM
I can’t believe what I am reading. A councillor stating rhetoric of that nature to make a point. What a disgrace!!! I think you need to do more than apologise.
February 5, 2011 at 3:53 PM
Cr. Lipshutz, very unaustralian to imply somebody do you personally have any evidence to support this claim? such a offensive remark on a personal level is very degrading. All levels of Government plus Nationl sporting clubs work very hard to make it very clear this is unacceptable behavior.
Your elected to serve the residents not to assassinate their reputation.
February 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM
What a disgracful comment to make, the thing that I find even more disturbing is that fact that no Councillor stood up and took Cr Lipshutz to task, or how the Mayor did not take immediate action.
February 6, 2011 at 12:08 AM
Folks, Lipsthitz is a sh*t, it’s obvious. Sensitivity training would be wasted on him.
His supporters should realize this at the next election and Council should also censure him in future meetings.
Whilst deporable behaviour should be noted and highlighted, lets not switch focus from the major inadequacies of the whole Council. Lipshitz and his behaviour is but a sympton of the whole rot.
February 6, 2011 at 8:41 AM
What about the Councillors Code Of Conduct?
February 6, 2011 at 8:32 PM
Whether a question is rhetorical or not is immaterial. The issue at hand is not the construction of the statement. This is not a point of grammar. The issue is the morality attached to the question and the inferences drawn by the statement. Such behaviour by the Councillor is unacceptable, immoral and at the very least actionable. As for an apology, this was neither forthcoming nor timely. Nick you should persue your legal options as these comments were made in a public forum.
February 7, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Cr Lipshutz
I am astounded and absolutely disgusted by your “strictly rhetorical” remarks.
I assume this means that anyone is able to accuse you of anything they like – so long as they predicate their accusation by claiming that it’s strictly rhetorical. I think not! And nor should they be able to.
Your comments are totally inexcusable.
This is very shameful and a sad indictment on the Glen Eira Council as a whole.
February 8, 2011 at 11:32 AM
To Cr LIPSHUTZ.It still astounds me in that today’s society a glen eira councilman can get away with what can only be described as e moral accusation of person with no justifiable evidence and a poor excuse that it was rhetorical. Well councilor people don’t forget and for all of us in his constituency take a good hard look at his record and remember ‘SHOULD, YOU ASK A QUESTION OF COUNCILOR LIPSHUTZ AND HE DOESN’T LIKE EG: MY SON PLAYS IN A FRISBEE TEAM BUT IM IN DENIAL,WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THE REAL QUESTIONS ARE ASKED?.To Mr Varvodic, i hope Mr Lipshutzs excuse is a good enough apology, to me its lame inexcusable and limpwristed i can only hope hes a real councilman and apology is made in person, but going by his answer i think not.
February 10, 2011 at 11:47 AM
It seems that Cr LIPSHUTZ may not be alone in the unintelligent stakes. It would seem that a certain Mr Abbott has joined him in “putting his foot in his mouth”.
However, that doesn’t condone making an idiot of oneself.
In Cr LIPSHUTZ’s case though, he has directly insulted a person rather than just make a fool of himself!!
Such things should not be accepted at any level and certainly not when they are suppoesedly representing the people.
Such representation I can certainly do without!