Cairns mayor Amy Eden set to lose $150K adviser
Cairns mayor Amy Eden is set to lose her personal adviser after having reportedly tasked him with working on promotional material for her own website, while a former Team Eden councillor has confirmed that he’s quit the party.
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Cairns mayor Amy Eden is set to lose her personal adviser this week after having reportedly tasked him with working on promotional material for her own website, while a former Team Eden councillor has confirmed that he’s quit the party.
A motion tabled by all nine councillors will be voted on at Wednesday’s ordinary meeting with the mayor’s adviser Gavin King expected to shift into a supporting role, guiding strategy, policy and advocacy work for all councillors.
The change means that rather than reporting directly to the mayor, Mr King will now enter a chain of command that leads directly to chief executive Ken Gouldthorp in the corporate flow chart.
It follows Ms Eden’s decision to use ratepayer resources to help launch her promotional site, featuring the ‘Team Eden’ campaign branding and colour scheme in a move considered to be electioneering by councillors.
At a meeting last week, the mayor confirmed to councillors the site, which Ms Eden paid for, included input from Mr King and the council’s logo.
The logo has since been removed but under guidelines provided by the Department of Local Government, a councillor adviser cannot be directed to engage in political campaigning.
Local Government Minister Ann Leahy declined to comment on the use of council resources by the mayor.
But a state government spokeswoman said complaints regarding councillor conduct can be directed to the state’s top watchdog.
“Any concerns over the use of ratepayer funds and council resources should be referred to the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA),” the spokeswoman said.
In February, Ms Leahy said she would “monitor” the council’s performance after Ms Eden distributed an anonymous letter attacking Mr Gouldthorp.
Meanwhile, Division Four councillor Trevor Tim, who campaigned for Team Eden during last year’s election has confirmed he’s quit the party.
“I am part of the team of Cairns Regional Council,” Mr Tim said.
“Depending on what topic’s on the table I may vote with her, or against her (Ms Eden).
“I was part of the Eden team during the campaign. As far as being elected, I now see myself as an individual.
“But I have a good friendship with the mayor.”
Mr King and former Labor staffer Bree Graafland were appointed last September to support the mayor’s “vision” and increase government funding, taking home pay packets of around $150,000 per year.
Ms Graafland quit earlier this year, while the former Member for Cairns’ role is now likely to change significantly.
Councillors met offsite last week at the Cairns Botanic Gardens to develop the council’s corporate plan.
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