Brooke Patterson says democracy is at risk from ‘cumbersome and costly’ complaint system

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson has revealed 20 complaints were lodged against her, with $140,000 in ratepayer funds spent on recent conduct investigations. FULL DETAILS

Outspoken councillor Brooke Patterson has branded the current conduct investigation system as “costly and cumbersome” after revealing 20 complaints were made against her.

The Southport councillor earlier week had three of four conduct breaches substantiated, but said the overwhelming majority of complaints were dismissed. They are never made public.

She said some of the recent complaints included:

* Publicly raising concerns about how a new double-sided flag was created to be handed out at citizenship ceremonies.

* Defending the ability of people to pay cash when using council pools.

* Sending two emails in one day about a safety issue regarding anti-social behaviour in a local park that had been left unchecked.

* Publicly mentioning road safety issues on a new council project.

Ms Patterson said the complaint system was a risk to the integrity of the electoral process.

Councillor Brooke Patterson attends a council meeting.

Complaints about councillor conduct are referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA), which can return the allegations back to a local council for further investigation.

A report shows more than $140,000 of ratepayer funds has been spent on recent inquiries.

“Do we value having elected representatives who stand up, however they think they can to represent a community, or would we prefer a clean and polished elected rep who’s effectively reciting what bureaucracy creates for them,” Ms Patterson said.

She believes town-hall events, and community engagement, are vital parts of a democracy.

“Residents come to speak up at these events, and to seek answers,” Ms Patterson said.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson promoting a town-hall meeting.

“They can be emotionally charged environments and I believe that’s okay, because they are vital to our democracy, and a key plank of how we can demonstrate responsibility, accountability and transparency to our communities.”

Ms Patterson said she was concerned there was a “mechanism” allowing for repeated councillor conduct complaints to be considered misconduct, forcing the process to be referred to the Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson with City CEO Tim Baker at an earlier town hall meeting.

Councillors could be fined, banned from meetings, or ordered that they resign.

Councillors at the full council meeting on Tuesday recommended that further conduct breaches against Ms Patterson would be considered as misconduct.

“I’m a reasonable person and recognise I am not without flaw – but this process does not serve anyone. Our current OIA system is unlike anything used for State or Federal representatives,” she said.

“It actively precludes the opportunity for a standard mediation process, instead placing legal costs on our ratepayers.

Councillor Brooke Patterson at her office, talking about Anzac Day. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

“The logical thing, the thing that is in the interest of council, concerned parties and the interest of the public, is to offer conflict resolution at the outset.

“It of course could be refused by a complainant, but I am quite sure it would have not only been my preference in this case, but the complainant’s.”

Mayor Tom Tate, before Tuesday’s debate on Ms Patterson, said the current process was “tedious” and would remain so until the OIA was revamped.

“I’m hoping the new State Government will streamline the process, thereby we will save us a lot of money – mediation and remedial should be upfront,” he said.

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Originally published as Brooke Patterson says democracy is at risk from ‘cumbersome and costly’ complaint system