At least three SA council CEOs have had suicidal thoughts in past two years

Bullying and harassment by councillors and the community has led to at least three SA council bosses having suicidal thoughts in the past two years.

Three regional council chief executives have experienced suicidal thoughts in the past two years due to bullying and harassment from elected members and the community.

The revelation at a meeting of council chief executives in Port Augusta last week has prompted nine to volunteer to establish SA’s first council chief executive support network.

Mount Remarkable chief executive Sam Johnson and others have put their hand to help colleagues who were subject to vexatious complaints, personality clashes and bullying.

“We believe there are examples some people have tried to use an ombudsman’s investigation to get what they want with the CEO. People are politicising his office,” Mr Johnson said.

“I’m well aware of one colleague who was bullied quite heavily over 18 months.”

Mount Remarkable chief executive Sam Johnson. Picture: Dylan Coker

Mr Johnson said at the meeting the “underlying current” was that people were struggling and he was aware of three people who have had suicidal thoughts.

“The circumstances for each vary, but fundamentally all come back to having no formal support mechanisms, and are all as a result of continued bullying and harassment,” he said.

“The whole idea is for it to be a positive support mechanism and it may turn out that we realise elected members equally need the same thing.”

The support network will meet for the first time next week to discuss its purpose and goals.

Kelledy Jones Lawyers, an expert in local government law, has supported its establishment which would also look at general wellbeing and professional advice.

“The role of the CEO can be a very lonely role, they look after the staff and they also have to look after elected members,” Michael Kelledy said. “The question I posed (at the meeting) is, ‘Who is looking after those who look after everybody else?’.

“The support network is for those who are feeling lonely and isolated and may be having professional issues and don’t know who to speak to.”

Mr Kelledy said the upcoming council elections would add another layer of stress on chief executives as newly-appointed councillors often reviewed their roles.

“We often see a period of movement in CEOs positions in the 12 months following the elections, it can be front of mind for a new CEO,” he said.

Deputy Ombudsman Steven Strelan said while no figures were kept on council chief executive complaints, in general, there did not appear to be a higher amount of vexatious complaints, compared with any other agency.

“While we acknowledge the possibility that some complaints are made for a vexatious purpose, in general, complaints about CEOs are not being rejected or closed on that basis,” Mr Strelan said.

He said the elections provided an opportunity for newly elected members to better understand the role of the ombudsman and the complaints he handles.