Two missing councillors, no-confidence in mayor after Garwood’s post with Radke

Vote of no-confidence and two missing councillors: Launceston mayor feels the heat over post with a controversial American rocker.

Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood with Ronnie Radke. Picture: Facebook

Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood continues to face the heat over social media post with American rocker Ronnie Radke as two councillors were absent due to feeling “unsafe”.

The Launceston council meeting held on Thursday immediately discussed a motion put forward by councillor Tim Walker on a vote of no-confidence on the mayor due to the post.

Before leaving the room for the discussion, Mr Garwood accepted responsibility and acknowledged his part in the incident.

“It’s really impacted our community … we do not endorse any violence,” Mr Garwood said.

He said he took full ownership of the negative impact it’s had on the council.

Mr Walker said he had backed the “popular” mayor until this point.

“It gives me no pleasure what-so-ever to bring forward this motion today,” he said.

Two councillors were absent from the meeting, with councillor Danny Gibson saying the pair felt “unsafe” to attend due to threatening calls and texts after being the target of Radke’s online video tirade.

Councillor Andrew Palmer said the vote had “created division” and “damage” to the community and had “impacted our fellow councillors”.

“I cant stand here and say that’s anyway appropriate for the leader in our city,” he said.

The vote of no-confidence went ahead and was supported 5:3 with councillors Joe Pentridge and George Razay in the minority and Susie Cai abstained.

During the discussion, it was clarified the no-confidence vote was a “political statement” leaving Mr Garwood with no obligation to resign or act on the matter.

‘Deeply alarmed’: What triggered serious threats to councillors

When Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood posted a photo to social media with controversial hard rocker Ronnie Radke, it triggered a chain of reactions including offensive comments and threats fired at councillors.

Last week, Mr Garwood posted a photo following a Falling In Reverse concert with Radke saying “maybe one of the most controversial characters in my generation of hard rock music scene”.

“Always a mic drop moment when I get to play the ‘mayor card’,” the post said.

“Haters keep coming strong but strength is in believing in yourself.”

American musician Radke has served more than two years in prison for violating probation conditions and has previously been arrested for domestic violence and assault in 2012. He also faced sexual assault allegations in 2015. He was not convicted of that offence.

Following Mr Garwood’s post, some Launceston councillors spoke out against the decision to associate with Radke.

At this stage the mayor publicly posted he was “disheartened that my post has caused some offence and concern”, clarifying he had not attended the concert in any official capacity as mayor.

In response to comments reported by other media outlets, this weekend Radke went on a tirade in a post to Instagram reels calling a number of councillors, particularly two females, offensive names, making serious threats and triggering fears for their safety.

Since, Mr Garwood said he had reflected over the “absolute mayhem” of the past few days.

“I am deeply alarmed to hear of serious threats towards my colleagues and concerned around the manner in which these uploads were delivered,” he posted to social media.

“The recent social media posts made by Ronnie Radke regarding City of Launceston councillors were entirely his own and do not reflect my views in any way.

“I do not condone violence or threats against anyone, and I believe in respectful discourse, even in disagreement; Which is something that I too need to be better at.”

The mayor’s explanation didn’t sit well with some residents, however, with some saying posing for the photo was an “endorsement” of Radke’s controversial views.

“I guess the thing for me is, that by attending the concert and the meet’n’greet, you have endorsed this guy,” Kathryn Pugh said. “You’ve supported him by paying for the tix and by posting about it. You do you, but recognise there are consequences. Even ones you don’t foresee or intend (and that’s also part of the problem, imo). Effectively endorsing a guy who would speak *like that* about anyone is ick. That’s the kind of guy he is.

“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

Originally published as Two missing councillors, no-confidence in mayor after Garwood’s post with Radke