Northern Midlands: Council referred to WorkSafe Tasmania over health and safety concerns

A warring council has been referred to WorkSafe Tasmania over allegations of “bullying, harassment and other harmful behaviours from council parties”. See what happens from here.

Northern Midlands Council chambers, Smith St, Longford. Picture: Google Street View

A warring council has been referred to WorkSafe Tasmania over allegations of “bullying, harassment and other harmful behaviours from council parties”.

The referral of Northern Midlands Council to the regulator was made by the state’s Acting Director of Local Government Mike Mogridge, who requested Mayor Mary Knowles read his letter at the council’s recent ordinary meeting last week.

It follows on from the state’s Code of Conduct Panel suspending Councillor Andrew McCullagh for 21 days after it concluded that he harassed Ms Knowles and bullied the council’s general manager Des Jennings.

Mr McCullagh has appealed the panel’s determination to the magistrates court.

Mr Mogridge, in his letter, expressed his “serious concern regarding recent public exchanges relating to the Northern Midlands Council, including allegations of bullying, harassment and other harmful behaviours from council parties”.

Northern Midlands Councillor Andrew McCullagh. Picture: Facebook

“While I recognise council has proactively undertaken a number of actions to improve the workplace environment, due to the ongoing nature of these interactions, their apparent severity and the potential adverse impacts on the wellbeing of council staff, elected representatives and the broader community, I believe that it is necessary to immediately resolve this unacceptable situation.”

Mr Mogridge said a failure to rectify the ongoing personality clashes at council “may constitute an offence under the Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislative framework, particularly where known and ultimately preventable risks such as psychosocial harm are not mitigated”.

It would also have impair the council’s ability to govern well for its constituents.

Mary Knowles Mayor of Northern Midlands Council. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I am broadly aware that council has already independently sought some advice in relation to these obligations and any appropriate control measures,” Mr Mogridge said.

“However, given these measures do not appear to have alleviated the grievances and allegations of all relevant council parties, I have determined to refer this matter to the WHS Regulator, WorkSafe Tasmania as the appropriate regulatory body for further independent inquiry.

“I expect WorkSafe Tasmania will be in touch with council in due course.”

In response to Mr Mogridge’s letter, Councillor Paul Terrett moved that council “appoint an independent arbitrator to arbitrate councillor behaviour in 2024”.

The motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

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Councillors instead moved that Ms Knowles write to Mr Mogridge to lobby for a recommendation that Local Government Minister Nic Street issue a Performance Improvement Direction.

A PID allows Mr Street to direct the council, or councillors, to “take, refrain from taking or cease taking an action within the period specified in the direction … for the purpose of complying with the statutory obligations of the council or councillor”.

Ms Knowles confirmed to the Mercury she had written to Mr Mogridge in support of a PID.

In a statement, Mr McCullagh disputed the conduct panel’s findings against him.

He claimed the process was “contrived” to damage his “brand”.