Ipswich Council blocks Mayor’s bid to lead Disaster Management Group

For the first time in years the Ipswich mayor will not lead its response to natural disasters after councillors, including ex-mayor Andrew Antoniolli, blocked Teresa Harding’s bid for the role.

Ipswich resident ejected from gallery after voicing support for Mayor

For the first time in years the Ipswich mayor will not lead its response to natural disasters after councillors, including ex-mayor Andrew Antoniolli, blocked Teresa Harding’s second bid for the role in just two months.

Despite being re-elected as mayor in March for a second term, Cr Harding failed for a second time in her bid to be elected chair of Council’s Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG).

The subcommittee manages the city’s disaster response and recovery operations.

Thursday’s vote came after a similar motion failed to pass at last month’s extraordinary meeting and ex-Mayor Andrew Antoniolli was instead voted in as the new chair.

Division 4 councillor David Cullen was elected deputy chair.

Cr Harding said because the mayor had traditionally chaired the group she decided to put the matter back to councillors for a second vote this week.

But she lost six votes to three, an outcome she claimed would send the city “backwards’’.

“A mayor has some power other councillors don’t have, such as the executive power to direct the CEO,” she said.

“So when you’re in the middle of a disaster and that needs to happen, that can’t happen now.

“Ipswich residents have a clear expectation that during a disaster the mayor should be visible, available and — most importantly — accountable for the decisions made during this time.

“Using such a critical role to play politics is disgusting.

“As a mayor, I was elected to move this city forward.

“My concern is that some of the decisions that have been made will bring our city backwards.”

Cr Antoniolli said the mayor’s comments were offensive.

“I am humbled that councillors have confidence in my experience, capability and communicative skills to continue in the role of LDMG chair,” he said.

Div 2 councillor Paul Tully, who sided against the mayor, said for the past 44 years he had always voted for what he felt was best for the city.

“The existence of any group is part of the mayor’s fertile imagination,’’ he said.

“He (Cr Antoniolli) is a former mayor and has previously held the position with distinction.

“He is well qualified to hold the position and there is no need to make any change so soon after his appointment.”

The chair of the LDMG traditionally has been the mayor and Cr Harding was its chair from 2020 to 2024.

Cr Antoniolli was the chair for a year, during his mayoralty, before the then council was controversially dismissed by the State Government in 2018.