Redland mayor Jocelyn Mitchell found in breach of standards after ‘gagged’ comment

A Queensland mayor faces a formal reprimanded after making public comments about being gagged, in a move that prompted her councillors to call for greater unity.

Redland City Council deputy mayor Julie Talty, left, took over chairing the meeting while the mayor left the room so the matter could be debated. Picture: Online meeting

A Queensland council has voted to formally reprimand its mayor over misleading public comments she made about being gagged over internal council processes, following a months-long investigation into her conduct.

Redland City Council found its mayor Jocelyn Mitchell breached behavioural standards by reposting a Facebook message from the Ipswich Mayor and adding false and damaging comments about her own council.

The mayor’s comments related to changes made earlier this year to the council’s internal media relations and speeches guideline.

The amendments were discussed in a November 2024 councillor workshop, formally adopted on December 9, and communicated directly to Mayor Mitchell by council officers via email and meetings in mid-December.

The key change over the media guidelines clarified that councillors who voted against a majority decision or had a declared conflict of interest would no longer act as the spokesperson for that decision after a general meeting.

Mayor Mitchell publicly claimed the process lacked transparency and suggested the guideline changes were intended to “gag” dissenting voices.

Her assertions were echoed in media reports and at a public protest outside the council chambers.

Redland City Council mayor Jocelyn Mitchell, left, has been reprimanded.

Following a detailed investigation, councillors concluded that her comments misrepresented the guideline’s purpose and nature and found she had breached the Local Government Act section 150AG.

The council voted to formally reprimand her with no additional penalties but with the warning serving as an official caution regarding future behaviour.

The decision came after a lengthy, and at times, tense council meeting held late into the evening on Wednesday.

Councillors expressed a range of views with councillors Lance Hewlett and Paul Bishop acknowledging the complexity of council guidelines and saying they could understand how the mayor might have misinterpreted the document.

Cr Hewlett added that while he initially thought the guideline restricted speech more broadly and understood why the mayor felt “gagged,” he described the overall situation as “a storm in a teacup blown up with a nuclear bomb.”

However, Cr Shane Rendalls was more forthright, stating that the mayor had ample opportunity to review the guidelines thoroughly before making public statements.

“The guidelines pertain only to decisions made at the general meeting, not ongoing issues,” Cr Rendalls said.

“The mayor either misunderstood or misrepresented that. What’s clear is that she chose to go public without verifying the facts.”

A second allegation investigated during this process, relating to a separate matter, was found to be unsubstantiated.

The confidential investigation report will be made publicly available with necessary redactions to comply with legislative privacy requirements.

The council also agreed to update its conduct register and notify the Office of the Independent Assessor about the outcomes.

Councillors expressed frustration over the significant time, effort, and resources the investigation demanded, urging a focus on the council’s core responsibilities.

“I hope we can move away from complaints and get back to serving the community,” Cr Bishop said.

The formal reprimand will be a rare censure of an elected city leader and highlights ongoing tensions within Redland City Council as it navigates a complex and high-profile term under close public and media scrutiny.

Originally published as Redland mayor Jocelyn Mitchell found in breach of standards after ‘gagged’ comment