Diamondshaped roundabouts are the least of Liverpool’s problems
Liverpool, NSW – In an outrageous act of contempt for public office, Liverpool Councillor Richard Ammoun has been caught smoking a “dhurrie” during a live-streamed council meeting on July 23, 2025. Having left the in-person meeting claiming to feel “unwell”, he rejoined online a some time latter with his tie undone, casually puffing away in full public view. Shockingly, a young boy was also visible nearby.
This isn’t Councillor Ammoun’s first scandal. He recently pushed through a $20,000 donation of ratepayer money to Lebanon, depleting the community grants fund and leaving “zero” for local needs, while the Council shamelessly sought taxpayer reimbursement . Worse, he allegedly misled the Council by claiming no government funds had been sent to Lebanon, ignoring Australia’s $75+ million contribution .
The audacity of smoking during a public meeting—funded by ratepayers—is infuriating. This isn’t a backyard barbie; it’s a formal council session that he had left becasue he was feeling unwell,Councillor Ammoun’s cavalier attitude is now likely on the mind of every hardworking resident.
The timing of this incident couldn’t come at a worse time for Liverpool Council. The public inquiry continues tomorrow morning, with Mr John Ajaka set to give further evidence to the inquiry. As scrutiny intensifies, this latest embarrassment only fuels public distrust and raises damning questions about the Council’s integrity at a critical juncture.
Footage from the Council meeting can be found here.
What Action Should Liverpool Council Take?
The question burns: What action will Liverpool Council take against Councillor Richard Ammoun for this blatant disrespect? Will they ignore this travesty, or stand for professionalism? Should he be censured, suspended, or investigated for fitness to hold office? Ratepayers demand answers. Liverpool deserves leaders who respect their role, not those who treat it as a personal playground. It’s time for decisive action to restore trust.
Honestly, this is a joke. Cr Richard Ammoun leaves a council meeting saying he’s unwell, then logs back in smoking on camera , with a kid in the background , during an official live stream.
How is this acceptable? It’s not a backyard hangout, it’s a council meeting paid for by ratepayers.
Add that to the $20k he pushed through to send overseas while our own community grants are left empty… and now the council wants reimbursement too?
With everything going on and the public inquiry still happening, it just makes you wonder how deep the issues really go.
Liverpool deserves better than this.
He is not the only one. Previous Councillor Mel Goodman use to be puffing on cigars while he was “attending” the Council meetings via Teams while he was on the Council in the prior term.