Onkaparinga Council parts ways with new CEO Alastair Dawson, after resident anger over his Grace Tame comments

An Adelaide council and its new CEO have decided to call it quits, after residents vowed to protest the appointment over his criticism of Grace Tame.

Onkaparinga Council will not go ahead with the controversial appointment of a CEO who sledged former Australian of the Year Grace Tame.

After a secret section of the council’s meeting on Tuesday night Acting Mayor Simon McMahon said the council and Alastair Dawson had mutually agreed he would not take up the $300,000 position he was appointed to last week.

Onkaparinga Rally Action Group spokeswoman Becky Hirst said: “Along with so many others in my community, I am overjoyed at the council’s decision to not go ahead with Alastair Dawson’s employment”.

“I would like to thank and congratulate the council for not only listening to the community but acting so promptly on the issue.”

It follows revelations by The Advertiser of community disquiet over the appointment, with a special meeting called for Thursday and public rally planned for next month.

“Over the last week, council has received feedback from the community and staff regarding the appointment of Mr Alastair Dawson to the role of Chief Executive Officer,’’ Mr McMahon said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Grace Tame, in the moment that went viral. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“In light of the feedback, and with the best interests of the community and council’s employees in mind, Alastair Dawson and the City of Onkaparinga have mutually agreed not to proceed with the intended appointment of Mr Dawson as CEO.

“Council confirms that expenses incurred by council are limited to reimbursement for preliminary relocation costs only. These costs are less than $10,000.

“The council thanks Mr Dawson for his interest in the position.”

Onkaparinga will pause its CEO recruitment until after the November council elections, with Julia Grant continuing as acting CEO.

Residents expressed their anger over Mr Dawson’s appointment because of his social media comments against Ms Tame when she snubbed then-prime minister Scott Morrison at a public event, refusing to shake his hand.

Mr Dawson was at the time vice-president of Central Queensland University when he reacted with the comment: “This is what childish immature behaviour looks like. … her behaviour will be seen as nothing more than a spoilt brat who is undeserving of the Australian of the Year award.”

Ousted Onkaparinga Council CEO Alastair Dawson.

His leaving the position was not related to the sledge, but it caused controversy in Queensland.

Ms Hirst called the comments “notorious”.

Ms Tame and Mr Dawson have been contacted for comment.

Ms Tame had repeatedly clashed with the Morrison government over misogyny issues, and became a rallying point on social media. She is a survivor of child sex abuse.

One opponent of the council appointment, Deputy Mayor Marion Themeliotis, had called for a special meeting on Thursday night to discuss the issue.

The group is the second to speak out against the appointment after Onkaparinga Council Watch attacked the appointment last week.

Mr Dawson’s appointment has also been met with a backlash from residents on Facebook.

On one post Waratah Karleu said: “Seriously? The … who made the hateful comments about Grace Tame? Someone so obviously out of touch with the current political climate”.

Announcing the appointment last week Mr McMahon had strongly defended Mr Dawson.

“Alastair brings with him a wealth of experience as a dynamic and transformative leader in the local government and education sectors,” he had said.

“As CEO of Rockhampton City Council from 2008­­–2010, he led the organisation’s financial and operational turnaround.

“He successfully delivered a 10-year financial plan, a 25-year capital plan, an effective regional tourism and business development strategy for Rockhampton, and drove the successful corporatisation of the council’s water and wastewater business.”