City CEO Tim Baker opens up on Councillor Brooke Patterson and earlier complaints from staffers

City CEO Tim Baker had to intervene for staff due to complaints about Councillor Brooke Patterson more than two years ago, he has revealed under questioning from her fellow councillors.

Paul Weston

3 min read

February 21, 2025 - 1:00PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

Gold Coast

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Gold Coast City Council top boss Tim Baker had to intervene on behalf of staffers due to complaints about Councillor Brooke Patterson more than two years ago, he has revealed.

Under intense questioning from councillors in a full public meeting this week, Mr Baker admitted the questions put him in a difficult position but speaking “honestly” confirmed an earlier complaint against Ms Patterson before she was later investigated.

The council is protective about discussing staff conflicts but the details emerged at Tuesday’s full council meeting in open session on a report into four recent complaints against Cr Patterson.

Councillors decided two complaints were substantiated - that Ms Patterson was aggressive towards staff, as reported by the Bulletin earlier this week. She must apologise publicly and do training.

All those complaints being considered allegedly occurred in January, June and July 2024. The Office of Independent Assessor (OIA) referred them back to the council.

Councillor Mark Hammel asked if Cr Patterson could confirm no officer formally or informally approached her about her behaviour being inappropriate or causing issues.

“No, that’s right, that’s correct,’ she said.

Mr Hammel then asked Mr Baker if that was “his understanding of the situation”.

Mr Baker responding to Mr Hammel replied: “Well councillor, you place me in a difficult position but I will answer the question honestly. On occasions I have had conversations with

Complaints from staffers about Councillor Brooke Patterson has again caused tensions between her and the office of CEO Tim Baker.

Councillor Patterson about her behaviour prior to this, and I can think of one specific example.”

Councillor Glenn Tozer asked about inquiries in 2023 “made about training” - before the 2024 incidents - where Ms Patterson had sought support on staffing issues.

Mr Tozer said: “I’m just trying to get to the bottom of was this (in 2024) the first time this pattern of behaviour was identified.”

Mr Baker said the training related to a “mediated settlement on another council conduct matter”.

The investigation into the four staff complaints sparked legal missives before the council meeting.

Ms Patterson’s lawyers fired a letter to council prompting the CEO’s office to respond with legal advice to councillors just before the crucial vote at full council this week.

City lawyers gave Mayor Tom Tate and councillors the green light to continue the investigation process.

Mr Tate provided copies of the City lawyer’s letter to councillors to confirm “there is nothing that hinders the council from taking further steps in the investigation”.

City lawyers said the correct process was followed in the investigation of Ms Patterson.

A preliminary report was provided to her in early January, the councillor made a statement in response, and later was given an opportunity to provide further evidence.

On the accusation of not providing fairness to Ms Patterson, the City’s lawyers said “that allegation is not substantiated”.

Councillor Brooke Patterson and City CEO Tim Baker.

Mr Tate reading from the advice, in open council this week, said lawyers wrote: “In conclusion, Councillor Patterson has been afforded fairness and natural justice in regards to this investigation.”

The legal details remain confidential until Mr Baker determines whether a redacted copy of the letters can be made public.

At Tuesday’s meeting Mr Baker had to defend his staffers after Ms Patterson’s brief speech to councillors took aim at the staffing restructure done by him.

She maintained loss of officers had caused “capability gaps” among staffers.

Ms Patterson also said the restructure created a “new business culture” where she could no longer engage in a “straight, robust and intentional” way with senior staff.

She said new bureaucrats found that behaviour to be totally unacceptable and had a “more delicate appetite”.

Mr Baker, responding to questions by councillors, said legislation required him to report any complaint by a staffer about a councillor to the Office of Independent Assessor (OIA).

If he suspected a breach of conduct himself, he had to report it to the OIA.

“My obligations to refer make no difference whether it is the most junior officer or senior most second to myself,” Mr Baker said.

Ms Patterson in her statement said the first she heard of concerns from staffers about her behaviour, months after an alleged incident, was via a referral from the OIA.