Onkaparinga Council residents not happy Alastair Dawson, who labelled Grace Tame ‘childish’ and a ‘spoilt brat,’ is new CEO

Onkaparinga locals are not happy a man who slammed child abuse survivor Grace Tame is their council’s new CEO – and earning top dollar.

Onkaparinga Council residents are not happy that a man who previously criticised child abuse survivor and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame has been identified as “the best suitable candidate to lead and represent” their community.

While no formal announcement has been made to residents, an email was circulated to staff this week alerting them of Alastair Dawson’s appointment, Onkaparinga Council Watch spokeswoman Yvonne Wenham said.

The council is South Australia’s largest by population and the CEO position attracts a salary of more than $300,000.

New CEO Mr Dawson controversially attacked Ms Tame via social media when she snubbed former Prime Minister Scott Morrison at an official function this year.

He took to LinkedIn to brand Ms Tame as “childish” and a “spoilt brat”.

New Onkaparinga CEO Alastair Dawson criticised Grame Tame for snubbing former PM Scott Morrison. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“It’s very troubling and concerning on a number of fronts that this person is identified as the best suitable candidate to lead and represent our community,” Ms Wenham said.

Mr Dawson is a former CEO of Queenland’s Rockhampton Regional Council, which has a similar sized population to Onkaparinga.

His most recent role was as Vice-President of the Central Queensland University, and he is credited with turning around its flagging performance, despite rumours he was forced from the role surfacing at the time of the Grace Tame controversy.

“Mr Dawson confirms he was not forced from his role with Central Queensland University and had previously signalled his intention to leave the role prior to the social media comments,” a council spokesperson said.

“He continues to wish CQUniversity well in its operations.

“Mr Dawson does not intend to comment further about the issue and is now focused on his future contribution to Onkaparinga Council and ensuring the Onkaparinga community receives the very best possible service in the future.

“Elected members decided to appoint Alastair as City of Onkaparinga’s new CEO because of his wealth of experience as a dynamic and transformative leader in the local government and education sectors.”

Resident unrest over the news of Mr Dawson’s appointment has resurfaced community upset over controversy surrounding a taxpayer-funded trip Acting CEO Julia Grant took part in.

In 2015 Ms Grant accompanied former Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill to Europe, in a jaunt that cost taxpayers $100,000.

At the time Ms Grant – who was executive director for Water and Climate Change in SA’s Department of Environment – refused to comment, but a council spokesman said Ms Grant joined the trip “as a public servant, supporting the then Premier who was co-chair of the Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance”.

“Those meetings progressed the contributions of local and state governments in addressing the impacts of climate change in the lead up to the 2021 United Nations Conference of the Parties, and reflected South Australia’s position as a leader in renewable energy and climate policy,” he said.