Former Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan criticises council over Kerry Shine photo scandal

An ex-Toowoomba councillor has left a scathing review of the organisation’s handling of a scandal involving a photo taken of one of her colleagues, which was leaked online.

Former councillor Megan O'Hara Sullivan. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Toowoomba Regional Council‘s handling of a scandal that saw a leaked photograph of councillor Kerry Shine shared on social media has been slammed by his former colleague.

Recently-retired councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan said it was “disgraceful” the picture of Mr Shine, which shows him asleep in the council chambers, was taken and then allowed to circulate in public just weeks before the local government elections.

The incident was revealed by The Chronicle just a week ago as part of a wide-ranging series of articles into major issues within the council, which has raised concerns about the organisation’s ability to deliver key projects and essential services.

While Mr Shine elected not to take the matter further, it is understood no one owned up to taking it.

Councillor Kerry Shine during a council meeting to discuss the future of Toowoomba City Aerodrome (also know as Toowoomba Airport), Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said the incident was “disrespectful” to Mr Shine, arguing the photo was designed to humiliate him.

“In what workplace is it safe to take a photograph of your colleague asleep and then share it around? Why should it be up to Cr Shine to pursue it?” she wrote on social media.

“The mayor (Geoff McDonald) and/or CEO (Brian Pidgeon) should be launching an investigation — firstly because it is a colleague and secondly because it was suggested a staff member must have been taken it.

“People say politicians are fair game and in some sense I think you have to let the criticism slide, not everyone is going to agree with your decisions.

“But politicians deserve to go to work and not be bullied or intimidated or mocked by their colleagues, like everyone else.”

Ms O’Hara Sullivan, who is a supporter of Mr Shine’s, also defended his character in light of the photo surfacing.

“You could not find a man of higher integrity than Cr Shine — he does not deserve this,” she wrote.

“Sometimes, last term he was the only one brave enough to call out poor behaviour, and this is his reward!

“Disgraceful. This is a reprehensible act.”

Mr McDonald declined to comment on Ms O’Hara Sullivan’s comments other than to reaffirm his belief the matter had been dealt with in the previous term.

“I spoke to councillor Shine, who told what he wanted to do — he’s happy to move on, he wants us to work together and that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

“This is a different term to last term — that was dealt with in the last term.”

Originally published as Former Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan criticises council over Kerry Shine photo scandal