Southport councillor Brooke Patterson makes public apology after staffer investigation

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson has made a public apology, after colleagues found she had acted inappropriately towards staffers. Read what she said.

Southport councillor Brooke Patterson has made a brief public apology, after colleagues found she had acted inappropriately towards staffers.

At a council meeting last month Ms Patterson was told she had to make a public apology 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.

At a full council meeting on Tuesday, Ms Patterson said: “I take this opportunity to provide a formal apology.”

Regarding two allegations proven involving council officers, Ms Patterson said she apologised for a breach of council conduct.

“I commit and recommit to always treating council officers with courtesy and fairness, thank you Mr Mayor,” Ms Patterson said, before resuming her seat in the Evandale Chamber.

Ms Patterson made no further comment on the matters.

Gold Coast City Council CEO Tim Baker.

Councillor Brooke Patterson. Picture: Portia Large.

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

City chief executive Tim Baker responded by strongly defending his staffers and rejected Ms Patterson’s criticisms.

Councillors opted against dishing out the toughest penalty available to Ms Patterson, which would have been removing her as governance chairwoman.

Speaking at the time on behalf of all councillors, senior councillor Peter Young said there was concern for Ms Patterson’s welfare but staffers needed to be protected.

He agreed with the penalties but was concerned by what he said was Ms Patterson’s lack of remorse.

“I think that contrition is necessary. I hope she finds that in her heart,” he said.

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Originally published as Southport councillor Brooke Patterson makes public apology after staffer investigation