Gold Coast councillors in ugly row after Mayor Tom Tate advertises for new media adviser

The recently elected council has butted heads over a job advertisement in a fiery row livestreamed to the public.

AN ugly row has erupted at council about Mayor Tom Tate advertising for a media adviser and whether the employee would report to him rather than CEO Dale Dickson.

The debate surfaced at a full council meeting when Hinterland councillor Peter Young began asking questions during a governance item and was joined by Glenn Tozer. Speculation is increasing at City Hall about who might be appointed.

Mayor Tom Tate at live streaming of a full council meeting under COVID-19 safety measures.

Cr Tate, after the meeting, told the Bulletin: “The Local Government Act 2009 makes it very clear the mayor may direct the CEO, but can’t direct other staff. Other councillors cannot direct any staff. There are strict penalties if they breach the Act in this area.

“During the debate, a number of councillors and the CEO also mentioned that ultimately the staff are accountable to the administration – not directly to councillors – through the CEO and others did say that within that framework, for entirely practical reasons, reasonable latitude is provided to allow the mayor and councillors to do their jobs from day-to-day.

“I also said there would be a panel to appoint the media adviser. I note there is a Bill before Parliament that would allow the mayor and councillors to appoint ‘councillor advisers’. Until that Bill is passed, councillors and mayors cannot appoint ‘councillor advisers’.

Live streaming of Gold Coast City Council committee meetings.

At the meeting, Cr Tate said a “newly advertised position” was needed given the challenges of COVID-19 and he would be guided by a selection panel which included human resources and his chief of staff.

Cr Tozer asked Cr Tate to clarify “who this person would be answerable to”.

Cr Tate: “When it comes to the office of the Mayor, it is practicable they take my requests. We’ve run it (the two offices) in a way it’s very effective. The CEO has given me great latitude in doing my job.”

Cr Vorster, a former mayor media adviser, explained it was important for the officer to work closely with the mayor.

Deputy Mayor Donna Gates referred to recent law reforms which would allow councillors to have their own policy advisers and the tradition of them being consulted about appointments for the smoother operation of their offices.

Peter Young — I’m going to be blunt. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Mr Dickson agreed and described the situation as similar to councillors having personal assistants where he had “provided as much licence as possible for individual councillors to do their job as possible”.