Protest erupts over claims Bayside Mayor ‘gagged and sidelined’
Redland Council has tabled a new portfolio structure voting 7-4 for the overhaul and triggering public protests over claims the move unfairly sidelines Mayor Jos Mitchell. WATCH THE VIDEO
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A bayside council, where the mayor believes she has been gagged and sidelined by a factional majority within her council, has voted to table a new portfolio structure, without giving the mayor a role.
The Redland City Council proposal sparked an angry protest outside the chambers from voters who claimed the scheme was designed to elevate select councillors’ media profiles while sidelining Mayor Jos Mitchell.
Approximately 60 protesters gathered outside Redland council chambers on Wednesday in support of Mayor Mitchell, voicing their opposition to the plan, which introduces seven new portfolios led by eight councillors hand-picked by Deputy Mayor Julie Talty.
Despite heated debate among councillors and vocal objections from the public, the council tabled the structure in a 7-4 vote.
The system, which does not grant councillors decision-making powers, will allow selected representatives to take on advocacy roles in specific areas and serve as the primary point of contact for media and public inquiries related to their portfolios.
Mayor Mitchell, who attended the meeting remotely via a Zoom link, was not allocated a portfolio, with Deputy Mayor Talty claiming the mayor already had direct influence over all business areas.
She said she was not consulted or interviewed regarding the structure and has requested a written explanation for voters regarding her exclusion.
Calls to the mayor went unanswered.
However, protesters including former councillors Toni Bowler and Debra Henry, argued the move limited the mayor’s role in crucial community discussions.
Cleveland resident and rally organiser Helen Cutfield described the decision as an attempt to undermine the mayor’s authority.
“It’s unfair and undemocratic,” she said. “The mayor was elected with a large majority, and we want the council to work collaboratively for the wellbeing of the entire community.
“We believe the mayor is working hard, but that isn’t being reflected in council decisions or communication with the public.”
Mrs Cutfield said she was prompted to organise the protest after learning that the mayor, who won last year’s election with 67 per cent of the vote, was not consulted on key issues, including the portfolio structure.
During Wednesday’s council meeting, Deputy Mayor Talty defended her portfolio system, claiming she had spoken with each councillor and assigned portfolios based on their interests.
“A councillor raised with me that it might appear the mayor has been excluded,” Cr Talty said.
“But she is automatically involved in everything.
“I was trying to create a model that would work better than the previous system, and by luck or happenstance, each councillor asked to be allocated to these areas.”
Cr Talty, who chaired the meeting while the mayor attended remotely, said the model was designed to improve communication and collaboration among councillors.
She added that the portfolio structure could be adjusted in the future if needed.
The scheme is set to be finalised in a report to the full council in March.
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