Brisbane City Councillor Steve Griffiths says he’s been ‘gagged’ by LNP

A Brisbane councillor has levelled extraordinary claims of bias against the city’s administration, taking the matter to the State Government.

Opposition councillor for Moorooka Steve Griffiths says he has been “gagged” by the LNP administration. He is pictured in Salisbury. Photo: AAP/Regi Varghese

OPPOSITION Brisbane City Councillor Steve Griffiths refuses to stay quiet despite being given a “gag order” by the city’s administration.

Cr Griffiths has written a letter to Brisbane City Council and the State Government to find out why he cannot be part of the new neighbourhood plan for Salisbury, Moorooka and Nathan which impacts 19,000 residents in his electorate area.

The Moorooka councillor said he was told during a meeting with council officers last month that he “wasn’t allowed to talk at the public meetings” but he could attend them.

Cr Steve Griffiths with Nathan Action Group spokesperson Blake Buchanan and local Annamarie Newton campaigning against overdevelopment in the area. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

He was also told he would not be allowed to help form the community committee or “give feedback from the community” to council.

“As a councillor you are elected to represent the community,” he said.

Cr Griffiths wants to find out “why they are excluding me”.

“And I’ve asked them legally why they are stopping me from speaking,” he said.

Brisbane City Council’s new southside neighbourhood plan will encompass Moorooka, Salisbury and Nathan. Photo: Google Maps

Cr Griffiths sent the memorandum to Brisbane City Council’s Chief Executive Officer Colin Jensen and the Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe regarding the advice he received that he was not allowed to participate or speak at community planning meetings effecting his Moorooka ward.

Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe.

In the letter, dated September 6, 2019, Cr Griffiths wrote: “I have been advised by council planning officers that I am not able to participate in the community planning meetings for the above plan due to be undertaken in October, November and December 2019”.

Brisbane City Council’s new southside neighbourhood plan will encompass Moorooka, Salisbury and Nathan. Photo: Google Maps

“As I am the elected councillor for Moorooka ward which includes these suburbs, can you please advise: what the rules are pertaining to my participation, what the rules are for other councillors, including chairmen (and) what legal basis of these rules are in relation to a council meeting?” the letter read.

Brisbane City Council CEO Colin Jensen at Brisbane Square Library. Picture: Tara Croser

“I have also been advised by council officers that I do not have a say in the selection of community representatives for the community planning team meetings, but understand that the LNP chair’s office does. Can you please explain how this is and the basis of that process?”

Minister for Local Government Stirling Hinchliffe has been contacted for comment.

An LNP council spokesman said: “Community Planning Teams are an opportunity for members of the community to have their direct say to Council and are not organised or run by local councillors and their ward offices.

Brisbane City Council’s new southside neighbourhood plan will encompass Moorooka, Salisbury and Nathan. Photo: Google Maps

“It is standard practice for local councillors to attend Community Planning Teams to observe only,” the council spokesman said.

“This was recently the case for the Sandgate District and Eight Mile Plains Gateway Neighbourhood Planning processes and attracted no objection from any of local councillors.”