Parliament supports inquiry into harassment within local government sector

An inquiry into local government harassment gains support amid reports of mayors facing self-harm risks from toxic workplace culture.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros, bottom right, with council representatives in parliament. Picture: LinkedIn

Mayors claim they are being brought to tears, taking extended stress leave and are at risk of self-harm, such is the level of toxicity and bullying within the local government sector.

SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros has parliamentary support for her motion for an independent inquiry into harassment in the sector, expected to highlight the growing epidemic of incivility.

A longstanding metropolitan mayor hoped an inquiry would be a “watershed moment” for the sector, with the current culture described as “unnerving” and “toxic”.

Ms Bonaros told parliament earlier this month “brave people” within the sector had urged her to take action and empower the Equal Opportunity Commissioner to make systemic change.

“In spite of the mental health toll, physical toll and financial toll this has taken … I see a lot of brave people putting their names to a piece of paper saying they would like to see this issue addressed,” she said.

Ms Bonaros told The Advertiser since making the speech a further 10 mayors had reached out and councillors, who had “really shocking stories” of harassment.

“We talk about ratepayer dollars being used for legal fees, but we forget about the mental toll on mayors, councillors and staff who turn up to toxic workplaces every single day,” she said.

“A couple of people, who reached out to me, said they had reached the end and they didn’t know how they would get over this.

“I’d hasten to say, that in a couple of instances, the people I spoke to, yes (they’re at risk of self-harm). And this is all for serving your community? It should concern all of us.”

The Advertiser last week reported Burnside Council was found to be ‘dysfunctional and psychologically unsafe’ by an independent auditor due to a small number of unnamed elected members.

At the Adelaide Hills Council, Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom is on extended leave and three female councillors quit in May – two of which allege bullying.

Adelaide Hills Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom is on extended leave. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

Already this year, three mayors have quit before the council term ends in November 2026, however it is unknown whether council culture played a part in their decision.

Independent MLC Tammy Franks in parliament supported the inquiry and said a female mayor had detailed in a letter to her that the past two years of her life had been a “nightmare”.

“ … it has been an ongoing nightmare due to bullying, harassment, misinformation, disinformation, allegations and counter allegations,” Ms Franks read.

“Every agency I have liaised with to report this behaviour has either failed me or not had the jurisdiction to help me.

“I have had to spend $75,000 of my personal income on legal feels to … defend my reputation and further expenditure on associated mental and physical health issues.”

Ms Bonaros told parliament earlier this month “brave people” within the sector had urged her to take action and empower the Equal Opportunity Commissioner to make systemic change. Picture: Supplied

Independent MLC Tammy Franks supports the inquiry. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria said “harassment and bullying” dominated discussions at mayoral forums, with some leaders “distressed and in tears”.

“In my nearly 20 years experience I cannot remember it being so bad, so prolific and with that an almost sense of hopelessness that the system is failing those who need it most,” Mr Bria said.

“Mayors are feeling isolated, they’re feeling abandoned and they’re struggling.

“Over the last nine months I’ve been in regular contact with three checking in on their welfare.”

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Mayor Robert Bria talks about bullying in the local government sector. Picture: Tom Huntley

The inquiry would investigate the prevalence of bullying and harassment across the sector and review the adequacy of existing laws and complaints structures.

Ms Bonaros said the inquiry’s success was contingent on it being funded by the Local Government Association of SA, but the parliament now had an “expectation” it would happen.

LGA SA president Heather Holmes-Ross said they expected to meet with the commissioner in the coming weeks to discuss cost, scope and length of an inquiry.

“Mayors and councillors should be able to do their jobs without fear of harassment or intimidation – council chambers should be places of respectful and robust debate on important community issues,” Dr Holmes-Ross said.

While a new behaviour framework was introduced only two years ago – and we’ve already seen elected members held to account under it – we welcome the inquiry as a means to strengthen council member behaviour to align with community expectations.”

The LGA is reviewing training standards for elected members and, in coming months, will establish an early intervention advisory panel to give councils support to resolve behavioural issues before they escalate.

Originally published as Parliament supports inquiry into harassment within local government sector