Cr Kevin Duffy has called for professional legal advice to protect council following comments on social media and other platforms in the past 12 months.

"I have been approached by members of the public, I have been approached by other councillors, I have been approached by staff that have been very concerned about what they have seen in social media and public media and heard on radio," he said.

He said he was not referring to a specific matter.

Cr Duffy said there was a need for councillors to gain legal knowledge to "mainly protect our staff" against comments that were potentially slanderous or libellous.

"Most of the time we're sitting ducks, but there are some things that people are saying that they appear to be very libellous" he said.

Cr Duffy said the legal advice briefing and discussion should be held in a closed meeting.

Council agreed to the request and staff will investigate obtaining legal advice through local government authorities before having to pay for a lawyer.

Council CEO David Waddell said he was unaware of any current or upcoming libel cases involving councillors.

A staff report said council would not pay the costs of a councillor initiating any legal matter or seeking advice on defamation. However it is allowed to meet the costs of councillors defending themselves against legal action in some circumstances.

Cr Tony Mileto said a legal briefing would be a "waste of council's time, resources and money" as libel and slander were covered by state laws.

"My understanding is council has no jurisdiction or control in this area as this is all subject to state law," he said.

"My understanding is council would not be in a position to offer anything to any councillor in any way of any guarantees because it is covered by Australian law in the first place."

Cr Joanne McRae said it appeared there was little council could do.

"As councillors we are elected, we've either got to get a thick skin or get some skin-thickening cream or some teflon to rub on to deal with the comments that we receive that are not always accurate or factual," she said.

"I agree that staff shouldn't be subject to any slander, libel or discussion in their workplace."

"There is very little council can do and there is a precedent that council is unable to sue for defamation so I'm not quite sure what the purpose of buying legal advice would be."

Cr Stephen Nugent questioned what had prompted the raising of the issue.

He said he was also opposed to spending ratepayers' money in this way.

"I just don't see the justification for procuring extensive legal advice, we're talking about ratepayers' money," he said.

However, Cr Jeff Whitton said the legal briefing would enable councillors to be informed about the specific laws relating to themselves and to staff.