Historic moment: Ipswich city council votes in new chief executive officer

During a historic council meeting to decide who will be the new CEO, Ipswich’s Mayor declared a conflict of interest.

Ipswich City councillors unanimously decided on who will be the new chief executive officer after thoroughly interviewing three candidates during a closed meeting.

Senior council officer Sonia Cooper was acting CEO for six months after David Farmer resigned from the position in early March, 2021.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding will reveal who was chosen for the coveted position once the employment contract is finalised in the coming weeks.

During the six hour long meeting the councillors interviewed the remaining three candidates although before a decision could be made, Mayor Harding declared a possible conflict of interest.

The conflict of interest was in relation to an unsuccessful candidate.

Mayor Harding said she had previously worked under the candidate for 10 months in 2014 and 2015.

During those years Mayor Harding worked in director roles for the department of the premier, cabinet, department of infrastructure, and local government and planning – under the Campbell Newman government.

“They are a professional contact not a personal one,” Mayor Harding said.

“If I go to the local government act… (which details) a close associate of a councillor - absolutely this person doesn’t even come near to what is listed as a close associate.”

After leaving the room for a vote, the councillors unanimously voted there was no conflict of interest which allowed the mayor to participate in the final CEO vote.

Cr Paul Tully said, “there’s no personal or financial benefit to her and a reasonable person would trust that the final decision is made in the public’s interest”.

Depending on qualifications, the new CEO may receive a pay packet rivalling the Prime Minister at an impressive $450,000-$550,000 per year.

Cr Paul Tully. Picture: Cordell Richardson

Davidson’s senior partner Ryan Webster said he’d never seen so much interest in a Queensland council CEO position as the specialist recruitment firm received an usual amount of applications.

Mr Webster said of the 84 applications received a majority had a background in local and state government.

79 per cent of those who applied were men and 21 per cent were women.

The recruitment agency Davidson Executive and Boards was paid $42,000 for their expertise.

Former Ipswich council CEO Carl Wulff arrives to the Supreme Court in Brisbane. Picture: Jono Searle.

Mayor Harding noted she wrote to the chair of Crime and Corruption Commission Alan MacSporran who confirmed the final applicants had “no outstanding issues”.

It was important to note as the council was roiled in a national scandal when former council CEO Carl Wulff jailed for corruption in 2019.

The council has been doggedly working to rebuild trust with the community and has imposed greater standards for its elected representatives and executives.