Adelaide City Councillors clash over secrecy of toxic culture report

A report on council dysfunction will remain secret for seven years, but two members who believe they are named in it want it out in the open now.

A report into a toxic culture within Adelaide City Council will remain secret for seven years, as elected members brawl over staff being bullied.

Two councillors who believe they are named in the report have renewed calls for its public release after elected members voted last month to keep it confidential until 2028.

Self-described “independents” Anne Moran and Phillip Martin made the demands during a fiery council meeting on Tuesday night, during which Team Adelaide faction members accused them of bullying and harassment.

Cr Moran threatened legal action against faction leader Alexander Hyde when he began reading out dozens of emails she sent to him, staff and other councillors which he claimed were abusive.

Ordered by Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor to stop until the emails were examined by council governance staff, Cr Hyde said he was trying to “pierce the veil so the public can see the rot in this place”.

“We have all seen the awful harassment and bullying of staff, and others on council like myself,” he said.

“It is precisely why Deputy Lord Mayor (Mary) Couros and I called for an investigation to be undertaken.”

The confrontation came less than an hour after Cr Couros accused Cr Martin of bullying her in newsletters he and Cr Moran sent to North Adelaide residents.

Councillor Anne Moran threatened legal action against faction leader Alexander Hyde. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Cr Hyde began reading dozens of emails sent to him by Cr Moran. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Debating changes to rules governing activities around Adelaide Oval, Cr Couros said she expected to be described as “a demon of North Adelaide” in one of Cr Martin’s newsletters. “I feel very confronted and bullied when I get these newsletters,” she said.

Cr Martin interjected, denying he was a bully.

“I have been accused by Councillor Couros of being a bully,” he said. “I have not, I did not and I will not.”

The issue arose again during a debate about the introduction of new rules where councillors had to use an electronic system to request information from staff, rather than contacting them directly.

It was part of an action plan formulated in a report by acting chief executive Clare Mockler, who has been running the council since chief executive Mark Goldstone went on sick leave in January.

Ms Mockler’s report reminded councillors they had to follow a code of conduct which demanded respect to staff and fellow councillors.

Her recommendations prompted Cr Martin to question her about the report into the council’s culture, by Adelaide law firm EMA Legal, and whether it had been seen by any elected members.

Ms Mockler initially declined to answer, before confirming only she and Mr Goldstone had read the report and knew its contents.

“I have not shared it with a single council member,” she said. “That includes the Lord Mayor.”

Asked if it would be publicly released so he and Cr Moran would know what they had supposedly done, Ms Mockler said it was highly unlikely. Cr Martin said the report had to be released as it was being used as a political tool by his opponents.

“It was said by them on social media that I have engaged in inappropriate behaviour and bullying,” he said.

“There is constant innuendo about me. I have no idea what I have supposed to have done because nobody in this place has seen the report apart from the acting CEO. What I say is show me the report, give me some examples, tell me what there is occurring. Right now, people are just responding to nothing.”

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Ms Verschoor said yesterday she was “focused on delivering outcomes for our city and supporting Adelaide’s recovery”.

“This is my priority and it is disappointing and frustrating that the behaviour of some council members continues to distract from the good work this council is doing,” she said.

“This behaviour is not acceptable. We have a behavioural code that is legislated, and it is up to every individual member to abide by it.”

Ms Verschoor called on “all council members to get on with the job and focus on delivering for the city”.

Local Government Minister Vickie Chapman ruled out using legislation to appoint an administrator to the council.

“There’s been no application to me for intervention, and secondly, from the material I’ve seen, there’s no justification for that,” she said.

Ms Chapman had no intention of “interfering with the independence” of the council.