Investigations into Councillor Brooke Patterson on inappropriate conduct cost more than $140,000

Councillor Brooke Patterson is facing a new conduct investigation over allegations – which she denies – that she ‘snatched’ papers from a staffers’ hands as the costs of investigations reach more than $140,000. FULL DETAILS

Brooke Patterson is facing another alleged conduct breach as the cost of investigations against the outspoken Southport councillor total more than $140,000.

In the latest allegations, Ms Patterson is alleged to have “snatched” papers from the hands of a City staffer before a committee meeting in full view of “multiple” councillors and employees.

The report is available publicly but Ms Patterson’s response remains confidential. She denies her conduct was inappropriate.

Investigation reports on this incident and three others involving Ms Patterson will be debated and voted on by councillors at a full council meeting next Tuesday.

Under Councillor Support Policy, Ms Patterson had requested and gained approval by City CEO Tim Baker to have her legal costs paid.

The cost of legal fees and investigations for 2024-25 totalled $142,413, the report said. Ms Patterson’s reimbursement for her own legal costs totalled more than $10,000.

Councillor Brooke Patterson — second from right — facing new investigation. Picture: John Gass.

In the latest investigation, Ms Patterson is alleged to have “snatched a draft resolution” from the staffer’s hands, and in a “loud and aggressive manner” directed the employee not to distribute the draft.

“I can’t believe you are doing this; this is not okay,” she allegedly told the staffer.

Independent investigators found the allegation of inappropriate behaviour, on October 29 last year, was substantiated.

Ms Patterson under the Code of Conduct was required to treat people “reasonably, justly and respectfully”, including council employees with “courtesy and fairness”.

A person interviewed, whose name was redacted in the report, said Ms Patterson’s conduct towards the staffer in a pre-briefing the previous day was “short, curt and rude” and described the cumulative effect of her repeated comments as problematic and “not right”.

“Councillor Patterson denied that her conduct was inappropriate or aggressive. She maintained that her concerns were procedural, valid and arose from what she perceived to be an attempt to influence councillors with new information immediately before a vote,” the report said.

“She asserted that her voice, while naturally louder under pressure, was not raised in a way that should be interpreted as aggressive. She rejected the term ‘snatched’ to describe her retrieval of the document, and insisted she acted to preserve the democratic integrity of the meeting.

Cr Brooke Patterson denies her conduct was inappropriate. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

“She believed her intervention was necessary and reasonable under the circumstances. Notwithstanding Councillor Patterson’s explanation, the available evidence suggested otherwise.”

Investigators said there was no evidence that the conduct was physically threatening but it was the manner in which the exchange occurred – publicly and loudly – that appeared to undermine the authority and dignity of a Council officer.

Ms Patterson was furious last month after the City published allegations from an investigation into her conduct but stalled debate allowing her to address them.

City CEO Tim Baker later apologised, saying he was only made aware just before the meeting of the report being published.

Ms Patterson at the next full council meeting will be able to address the three complaints about her alleged conduct with staffers at a town hall meeting on the so-called ‘View Tax’ hosted by her in August last year.

In a Facebook post this month following the release of a survey of council employees, Ms Patterson vowed to be a champion for staff.

Gold Coast City councillors will vote on a report on an investigation into their colleague, Southport councillor Brooke Patterson. Picture: John Gass.

The Southport councillor in March last year made a brief public apology, after colleagues found she had acted inappropriately towards staffers.

At a council meeting the previous month Ms Patterson was told she had to publicly apologise and undergo training after councillors found some official complaints by staffers against her were substantiated.

Ms Patterson was aggressive towards council staff and tried to influence a work experience selection process, an independent investigator had found.

Ms Patterson had robustly defended her position during the previous meeting, claiming the real problem was “new bureaucrats” had “a more delicate appetite”.

Mr Baker strongly defended staffers and rejected Ms Patterson’s criticisms.

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Originally published as Investigations into Councillor Brooke Patterson on inappropriate conduct cost more than $140,000