source : the age
Redlands mayoral hopefuls have responded to claims the council is rife with bullying and favouritism, while the acting mayor says she is proud of the council’s workplace culture.
Long-term councillor Wendy Boglary told this masthead on Wednesday the culture at the council was “distressing” and had led to quality staff looking elsewhere for work.
Meanwhile, a current member of staff given anonymity so they could speak freely said they were embarrassed to say they worked there, and alleged management had taken part in icing out the former mayor Jos Mitchell, who resigned citing a culture of bullying and intimidation two weeks ago.
With a month to go before the postal ballot closes to find Mitchell’s replacement, this masthead sent questions to all six of the mayoral candidates, asking whether they saw a problematic culture, and what they would do to change it.
Former Labor member Capalaba Don Brown took aim at current acting mayor and candidate Julie Talty for praising the council’s culture on ABC Radio the day after Mitchell’s resignation.
“I was astonished to hear the acting mayor describe council’s culture as ‘excellent’, despite the senior staff departures, councillor complaints, investigations and ongoing public concerns,” he said.
“That attitude is part of the problem. We need leadership prepared to acknowledge what is wrong and take action to fix it.”
On Thursday, Talty said the culture was “built together” by the organisation’s 1000-plus employees.
“I’m proud of the dedicated team serving Redlanders every day,” she said.
“Anyone who isn’t feeling supported should know their concerns matter, and I’ll keep listening and backing efforts to make council a great place to work for everyone.”
Brown said his commitment to attempt to cut the number of councillors from 10 to six, bringing it in line with other nearby councils, would help cut down on councillors’ antics, but did not comment on managerial culture.
“This reform is about accountability, reducing costs and changing how [the] council operates,” he said.
Recent entrant to the race Liela D’Rose, the state convenor for the Animal Justice Party, said the issue needed an external audit.
“My first priority will be bringing in a truly independent external auditor to conduct a comprehensive review of workplace culture, psychosocial safety, and councillor-staff conduct,” she said, noting her background in HR.
“Staff need a safe, confidential channel to report what is really happening without fear of reprisal.”
Local lawyer Jasmine Person said the council’s longstanding infighting was getting in the way of productivity.
“Redland City Council having the highest number of complaints made to the OIA in Queensland, over the past two financial years, speaks volumes,” she said.
“As a ratepayer, I don’t want to be paying councillors to spend their time writing complaints about each other. I want them working for the city.”
Person was a One Nation member, but said she left the party before announcing her intention to run for mayor.
In his 967-word response, bricklayer and former One Nation and Trumpet of Patriots candidate Gary Williamson said he would instil a strict culture in meetings.
“I will take the lead chair and I will as I say, place the cheese on the table and walk out of the room because that’s the only way to find out if you have Rats in the Castle!” he said.
“I’ve lost a lot of cheese in my time, but I have zero rats surrounding me.”
On Thursday, local businesswoman and advocate for women in trades, Melissa Millar, also threw her hat in the ring for the top job.
In response to this masthead’s questions, Millar said she could not comment on culture from outside, but said trust in council had to be rebuilt.
“I know disagreement is healthy. Disrespect is not. I believe in achieving genuine change and outcomes, not just appearances,” she said.
Councillor Rowanne McKenzie, considered a Talty ally before the race began, did not respond to questions about whether the council had a culture problem.
The postal election will be completed on December 12.
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