Departing Cairns councillor Max O’Halloran defends young staffer after ‘bullying’ incident

Cairns councillor Max O’Halloran has called out the behaviour of some Far North developers after a “bullying” incident involving a young council officer.

Cairns Division 7 councillor Max O'Halloran has consistently stood up for council officers in council meetings in 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Cairns councillor has rushed to defend council staff after the alleged “bullying” of a junior council officer by a developer.

Division 7 councillor Max O’Halloran said he was aware of an incident in which at least one person working for a Queensland development company had allegedly attempted to browbeat an officer who worked in council’s planning department.

“This developer came into town … and belittled (the officer),” he said.

“We want people to come to work safe and go home safe.

“We’ve got a lot of younger people who are well educated. You build rapport with these (junior officers) and want to see them keep going and achieve higher, not get burnt out.

“Particularly in town planning because that’s difficult work.

Division 7 councillor Max O'Halloran raised concern at the council’s January ordinary meeting about a developer’s conduct. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“If you don’t have young people coming on, you’ve got nothing.

“You can’t have people in their 60s and 70s running the show forever.

“We’ll run out of talent.”

Cr O’Halloran has since demanded senior council officers do more to defend their junior staff.

At January’s ordinary meeting, he said: “I ask your team to be strong and hang in there. We have a lot of young staff … we as their leaders need to stand up and back them up when needed”.

In several 2023 meetings, the departing councillor has personally congratulated younger council officers on their efforts in compiling reports.

He said the deliberate act of looking out for the up-and-coming generations was part of the legacy he wanted to leave after his retirement from council in 2024.

“I’m getting to the point where all I’ve got is experiences. I see myself as a bit of a father hen … it’s my duty to look after our people,” Cr O’Halloran said

“As a good councillor, it’s my job to create a good workplace culture.”

Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin did not confirm which developer had been the alleged instigator of bullying behaviour but said any complaints of bullying were always investigated.

“We have spent considerable effort over the past few years to build a strong and respectable relationship with the planning and development industry which does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour,” Ms Martin said.

“I have a no tolerance approach to bullying and unacceptable behaviour against anyone.”

Originally published as Departing Cairns councillor Max O’Halloran defends young staffer after ‘bullying’ incident