Outspoken councillor referred to watchdog for ‘inappropriate meeting conduct’

Brisbane councillor Nicole Johnston has been referred to Queensland’s local government watchdog – in her absence – for “inappropriate meeting conduct”.

Nicole Johnston. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Outspoken Brisbane councillor Nicole Johnston has been referred to Queensland’s local government watchdog, in her absence, sparking furore at Tuesday’s weekly meeting.

A motion was passed just before the meeting closed to refer Ms Johnston to the Office of the Independent Assessor for inappropriate meeting conduct.

It came after three warnings from the meeting chairwoman, one without notice, for interrupting proceedings.

Ms Johnston, a former LNP star councillor, became an Independent after her first term following disagreements with the administration.

The firebrand Independent is the most popular councillor in Brisbane history but has previously been escorted from the chamber by police, multiple times.

Labor colleague councillor Charles Strunk accused the LNP-dominated administration of targeting her because they viewed her as a “traitor “.

“Everyone on that side (the LNP) gaslights councillor Johnston to get an inappropriate response from her,” he said.

“She has no party behind her. She just has her residents.”

Labor councillor Emily Kim said the LNP should at the very least have waited until Ms Johnston was in the chamber so she could respond and queried how long the LNP caucus had been debating the unexpected move.

But LNP councillor Adam Allan said it was the former Labor state government that had changed the rules last year regarding reports to the OIA.

He said council was applying rules under the Act. “This was introduced by a Labor state government and councillor Johnston is well aware of these rules,’’ he said.

Ms Johnston accused the meeting chair, LNP Councillor Sandy Landers, of bias.

Brisbane City Council meeting chairs are not required to resign from their parties, if they belong to one.

“Councillor Landers openly engages in biased chairing of council meetings,’’ she claimed.

“It’s petty behaviour to benefit the LNP.’’

However, Councillor Landers often pulls up her LNP colleagues for speaking out of turn or disrupting the chamber.

It was believed none have been issued warnings for conduct, though.

The Greens and Labor also continually called points of order, interrupting councillors during their speeches — which under controversial rule changes last year were now limited to five or 10 minutes.

Labor councillor Steve Griffiths is currently on two warnings and risks a similar OIA referral.

Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said it was the first time such action had been taken.

If the OIA determines, after an initial assessment, that the matter is in relation to a breach of the Code of Conduct for Councillors then it is referred back to council for investigation.

Originally published as Outspoken councillor referred to watchdog for ‘inappropriate meeting conduct’