Redland, Townsville top list for most complaints about councillors: OIA chief

Two Queensland councils have topped the list for the most complaints against local councillors. SEE THE FULL LIST

OIA Assessors Charles Kohn and Assessor Bronwyn Blagoev before today’s parliamentary committee to inform them of the number of complaints lodged with the OIA over the past year. Picture: Queensland Parliament

Two Queensland councils have been named and shamed as hotspots for complaints against their local councillors, with the state’s watchdog revealing the surge at a parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday.

Independent Assessor Bronwyn Blagoev confirmed the Office of the Independent Assessor received more than 1000 complaints last year, far exceeding the 160 it was designed to handle, with Redland and Townsville topping the list.

Redland recorded 114 complaints, Townsville 113, Logan 72, Southern Downs 68, and Cairns 67.

“I think both councils have had a difficult first term … not many councillors can explain what sits in the Local Government Act,” Ms Blagoev said, noting social media scrutiny had also increased complaints.

Across the state, 48 per cent of complaints came from the public, 46 per cent from the local government sector, and 21 per cent were lodged by councillors themselves.

Anonymous complaints made up 17 per cent overall, rising to 38 per cent for Indigenous councils.

Many complaints were minor or vexatious; only one complainant was formally declared vexatious.

Redland Mayor Jos Mitchell. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Claims the process has been likened to a “kangaroo court” were raised after Redland Mayor Jocelyn Mitchell faced conduct claims with rival councillors able to adjudicate her matter despite two independent investigations clearing her.

But Ms Blagoev dismissed the idea that the OIA itself operated as a kangaroo court, explaining councils were responsible for deciding conduct breaches and OIA reports served as guidance.

Last year, only eight matters statewide saw councils vote against OIA recommendations, four fully or partially sustained, two not sustained, and two withdrawn.

Complaints about councillors’ social media use were also rising, the committee was told.

Some council policies conflicted with councillors’ political expression, but the OIA considered the balance carefully when assessing complaints.

OIA staffing levels and resources to deal with the surge in complaints were also discussed with the Office only having two assessors.

The committee was told that the office employs 19.6 full-time equivalent staff across investigations, legal, and support teams, with an operational budget of $4.34 million, excluding corporate allocations.

Ms Blagoev said staff numbers were sufficient but workload pressures remained due to the volume of complaints.

Redland Mayor Mitchell recently became the public face of the system’s shortcomings.

Her own council deliberated over formally reprimanding her despite independent investigations costing $27,000, including one by BDO Australia, finding two anonymous complaints unsubstantiated.

The complaints related to her comments on council media protocols and alleged exclusion from a meeting.