Husband and wife council contenders say conflict of interest won’t be an issue, if both elected

A TV personality and councillor who could become a local government power couple if both are elected have hit back at concerns over conflicts of interest.

High-profile husband and wife Joe and Rosanna Natoli have hit back at conflict of interest concerns as they both run for Sunshine Coast Council positions at the 2024 elections.

Mr Natoli hopes to retain his division 4 seat – which includes Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba and surrounds – while Ms Natoli, a popular television presenter and long time journalist is running for Sunshine Coast Council mayor.

In the event both are elected, Mr Natoli – a former Maroochy Shire Council mayor – said their relationship should not be considered a conflict of interest.

“Anyone that thinks that there might be a conflict of interest, doesn’t know my wife,” he said.

“I shouldn’t have to say this, but she is quite capable of making up her own mind and making her own decisions.

“We are two independent people and every councillor has a role to play in being able to make independent decisions and vote independently.”

Joe and Rosanna Natoli are both running for Sunshine Coast Council at the 2024 local government election in March.

Ms Natoli rejected the notion that conflict of interest would be an issue if she is elected as mayor.

“I’m a woman, the election is in 2024, I would hope that people wouldn’t tell me that I should make my decisions based on what my husband decides,” Ms Natoli said.

“Joe and I don’t agree on everything … and we’ve been married for 34 years.

“I would hope that people would judge me for what I bring to the role, what I hope to bring to the role if I’m successful, and what I stand for.”

Joe and Rosanna Natoli have hit back at concerns should they both be elected at the 2024 elections.

Mr Natoli was perceived to have a conflict of interest by fellow councillors as a result of his wife’s employment during a debate regarding a Sunshine Lightning sponsorship deal in April 2021.

At the time, fellow councillors voted he had a declared conflict of interest and could not be involved in debate or a vote on a sponsorship deal with the netball team because his wife worked as a media lecturer at University of the Sunshine Coast, then a part-owner of the Super Netball League squad.

Looking back at that decision, they said they believed that should not set a precedent going forward if they were both to be elected.

“Council already has very strict conflict of interest provisions that require you to declare any conflict of interest,” Ms Natoli said.

“We are very open and accountable about the fact that we are married, we are not hiding it.

“We will abide by any conflict of interest provisions that the council or any statutory body has set up.”

The local government election will be held on March 16, 2024.