Former Economic Development Officer Amber Lutter named as Michael Gorey’s replacement

The job of Mayor Jack Dempsey’s advisor, once occupied by Michael Gorey, has been quietly filled after an almost year-long vacancy.

The identity of Michael Gorey’s replacement on Bundaberg Regional Council has been revealed, but the details of their responsibilities remain mysterious.

The identity of Michael Gorey’s replacement at Bundaberg Regional Council has been revealed as council’s economic development officer Amber Lutter.

Multiple sources speaking on the condition of anonymity confirmed Ms Lutter was appointed to the councillor advisor role, vacated by Mr Gorey in August 2022.

The council confirmed the role had been filled but would not provide any details on who by or their responsibilities, including if they were primarily a media advisor for Mayor Jack Dempsey.

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“Bundaberg Regional Council does not provide public statements on staff matters,” a council spokesperson said.

The cost to ratepayers for the current councillor advisor contract is unknown, but the 2021-22 annual report notes a remuneration package worth $177,995 for the role at the time when Mr Gorey was still at the council.

Multiple sources speaking on condition of anonymity have confirmed that Amber Lutter was appointed to the Councillor Advisor role vacated by Mr Gorey in August 2022.

The lack of public statements about Ms Lutter’s recent appointment is in stark contrast to the publicity that accompanied Mr Gorey’s appointment in 2021.

Mr Gorey’s tenure as chief of staff was wracked by controversy from the outset, with councillor Greg Barnes opposing the creation of the highly-paid role in the midst of the pandemic.

The motion to create the role with responsibilities for supporting the mayor was made by councillor Steve Cooper at the January 2021 ordinary council meeting.

Quoting from the Local Government Act, Mr Cooper said the purpose of the role was to provide the mayor “additional support and advice to help them make better decisions and interact effectively with the Council and community”.

Mr Barnes said in a statement that he did not believe it was the “right time to go creating new positions, particularly when we have 900 members of staff plus the executive leadership team”.

“I’m ... wondering what sort of example we’re putting out there in the community,” Mr Barnes said at the time.

Mr Barnes was the only councillor to oppose the motion. .

Mr Gorey was promoted to the new role in February 2021, following three years as the council’s executive officer of communications and editor of council-owned website Bundaberg Now.

Mr Gorey’s tenure as chief of staff was wracked by controversy from the outset.

Documents obtained in June 2021 under the Right to Information Act revealed concerns about Mr Gorey’s appointment as chief of staff while he still had administrator access to Bundaberg Now’s Facebook and website.

In a series of April 2021 emails, the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning recommended Mr Gorey’s access to the Bundaberg Now sites be removed on the basis of “good governance”.

At the time, council declined to respond to questions on if Mr Gorey’s access had been removed.

Suspicions that Mr Gorey was assisting Mr Dempsey with his campaign as the independent candidate for Hinkler in the 2022 federal election were confirmed when Mr Gorey admitted in April 2022 to creating Mr Dempsey’s JackForHinkler campaign website.

Mr Gorey admitted in April 2022 to creating Mr Dempsey’s JackForHinkler campaign website.

Mr Gorey stated he temporarily stepped down from his role as councillor advisor to assist with Mr Dempsey’s campaign, saying all campaign work was done “in his own time” and “with his own resources”.

Online records show the domain for Mr Dempsey’s campaign website was registered in March 2021, one month after Mr Gorey was hired, and more than 12 months before Mr Dempsey announced his intention to run in the election.

The Local Government Act states a councillor advisor can provide assistance to a councillor including co-ordinating media activities and event management function, but it precludes any activity relating to a councillor’s campaign for re-election.

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Following Mr Gorey’s resignation in August 2022, council refused to respond to questions about whether it would fill the role.

Sources state that Ms Lutter was introduced by Mr Dempsey to council staff as his media advisor, and that Mr Dempsey’s Facebook page was updated soon after her appointment.

According to Ms Lutter’s LinkedIn she previously worked as council’s economic development officer and marketing coordination officer until November 2022. She does not have a current occupation listed.

Sources stated Ms Lutter was introduced by Mr Dempsey to council staff as his media advisor, and that Mr Dempsey’s Facebook page was updated soon after her appointment.

The Queensland local government elections are scheduled for March 2024.

Originally published as Former Economic Development Officer Amber Lutter named as Michael Gorey’s replacement