The Men Talking with Men initiative had been planning to hold events in Wagga during Men's Health Week involving Clarrie Holden, founder of Father's Rights Australia and vocal critic of the family law system and domestic violence orders.

The events had been promoted as being run with the support of Centacare, Murrumbidgee Local Health District and GIO, but those organisations distanced themselves or denied any prior agreements last week.

Men Talking with Men had been facing the complete loss of $2274 provided by Wagga City Council in May under the COVID-19 Fast Track Sponsorship program at Tuesday night's council meeting.

Instead, an amended motion withdrew the funds but gave the group two weeks to formalise its organisation and reapply for the money.

The council will not be required to approve any new application.

Multiple councillors spoke in favour of having Men's Health events, including Mayor Greg Conkey who said the toll from male suicide was "appalling", but there was also concern that the council would be seen to endorse Mr Holden's views.

Cr Paul Funnell said the event had been unfairly attacked, that it should not be cancelled because some people did not like what Mr Holden had to say, and that council should look into alternate funding for the event.

Cr Vanessa Keenan said she considered some of Mr Holden's comments in prior online videos to be "concerning and potentially dangerous" in that they discouraged women from speaking out about domestic violence.

"A video he made in November last year suggested that 77 per cent of apprehended violence orders or domestic violence orders are put in by women who are scorned by their former partners," Cr Keenan said.

"That is something that is quite a serious claim. As everyone would be aware, we are in a situation in Wagga were we have spent the last three years trying to do primary intervention around community attitudes to domestic violence and Wagga has been in the top 25 per cent in NSW for domestic violence."

Cr Keenan said she was "very supportive" of men's health but the council had a responsibility to reduce domestic violence in the community and not to support views that a majority of women were making up claims in court.

All councillors voted in favour to debating a motion to withdraw the funding as a matter of urgency at Tuesday's nights meeting.

Deputy Mayor Dallas Tout told the meeting that the Men Talking with Men event had to rely on the auspices of another organisation to apply for the funding as it was not an incorporated body, and it did not meet that requirement as of Friday.

In other news

Cr Rod Kendall said the issue was really about the application guidelines rather than any speakers or topic at the event.

"When we look at the 'Men Talking with Men' event, it was all about trying to promote a a discussion to reduce men in particular but also male youth suicide, which we all know in regional Australia is certainly much higher than any other part of the population.

"Here in the Riverina in the past six weeks, the unconfirmed information I have is that there have been substantive number of events relating to men and youth suicide, not just relating to male youth.

"I think the topic is well worth supporting but this is falling over not because of the event and the agenda in the event; the community must be able to hear a wide range of views."

Cr Kendall said the event's founder Gary Witt had clearly told the council that it could not meet the requirements for funding and proposed an amendment.

"The amount of $2274 be held in reserve for a period of two weeks to allow Mr Witt and his Men talking with Men board to formalise the organisation and prepare a revised application, if they wish to do so," the amendment stated.

Cr Funnell sought confirmation that the money could be awarded retrospectively as the event was due to start on Wednesday.

"This speaker is about men and unfairness in the system, this isn't about protecting abusive men. This is about guiding men on how to handle what can be an unfair system and give them he tools to navigate life and not suicide," Cr Funnell said.

"This is so they have someone to talk to and be emotionally supported.

"It is a trend from the Left these days to shut down and cancel an opposing view or one not held by themselves ... to cancel Mr Holden because part of what he says does not meet your narrative appears to be prejudiced against men because some men are low-down scum and abusive to women."

Cr Dan Hayes said events talking about men's health were to be applauded but there was a need to ensure that the advice and information given was evidence-based and useful.

"I've been involved in mental health for 18 years and the range of different conference I have been to, the quality ones were the ones backed by evidence, by lived experience, and values the time of those who attend to get the right information to have an impact in their lives."

The amended motion, to hold the funds in reserve to allow Men Talking with Men to reapply for the grant, was carried with the vote of all councillors.

Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.