MP Don Brown calls for Redland mayor Karen Williams to resign and inquiry into boozy post-Budget party

A Queensland MP has called for a local mayor who admitted to drink-driving to resign, and for an inquiry into a boozy council chambers party that was held after a budget which slugged ratepayers a 4.72 per cent rates hike.

A state MP has called for Redland mayor Karen Williams to resign after a public apology overnight for driving after she had been drinking at a party to celebrate handing down the council budget.

Capalaba MP Don Brown this morning called for Cr Williams to resign and has asked Local Government Minister Steven Miles to investigate a boozy post-budget party held at Redland City Council chambers on Thursday night.

Cr Williams was involved in a car crash at about 8pm on Thursday night after handing down the budget and attending a zoom meeting and a party in the councillors’ lounge before heading home.

Police on Saturday morning said no charges had been laid.

“You can’t be hard on youth drunk drivers and then be soft on yourself by saying you are sorry and you are getting counselling,” Mr Brown said.

“I will be writing to the Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister today, calling on him to sack the Mayor if she won’t resign and to launch a full investigation into the after-Budget Party that occurred at the council’s chambers, after Redland City councillors handed down a massive 4.72 per cent rate rise.

Redland Mayor Karen Williams handed ratepayers one of the harshest budgets in southeast Queensland before it is alleged she crashed her Lexus on Thursday night.

“You can’t campaign, then drink drive and then delete your Facebook page without resigning.

“If true, Karen must resign.

“You can’t campaign and petition against a drunk driver that killed Kate, Matt and Miles and then do this.”

Council staff were still in the mayor’s office at the Bloomfield St chambers at 6.30pm on Thursday night.

Redland councillor Lance Hewlett said he had a glass of wine and spoke to the mayor to congratulate her on the budget before leaving at about 4.30pm.

He said the mayor had had some wine and staff were celebrating with wine and soft drink on offer in the councillor lounge.

“She was celebrating and had had some wine.”

Cr Williams was breathalysed at the scene of the crash, on the corner of Queen and Wellington Sts in Cleveland, and was taken to Redland Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Last week, she launched a strong online campaign to advocate for tougher measures for juvenile offenders after a teen was sentenced to six years for killing two Redland residents while driving drunk in a stolen car.