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The family of a south-east Queensland mayor on extended medical leave has accused the state’s local government department of engaging in political opportunism and lacking common decency in an explosive statement on the mayor’s Facebook page.
Redlands mayor Jos Mitchell announced she was taking six weeks of medical leave in May, which was later extended until at least August 1.
The bayside council is known for its heated council meetings, and regularly leads the state in councillor conduct complaints.
Late last year, the state government announced it would appoint a governance adviser to the council, with former Logan chief executive Chris Rose enlisted for the role.
While much of the terms of reference dealt with assisting communications between councillors and social media use, it also mandated Rose conveyed any “concerns about the wellbeing of councillors, where such concerns are impacting a councillor’s ability to perform their functions” to the department.
Rose, who had his role extended, wrapped his time in council on Friday.
While his report and recommendations have not been made public, the department released a statement on Friday alleging the mayor’s absence had limited Rose’s ability to function in the role.
Director-general Bronwyn Blagoev, who leads the state’s local government department and was formerly the head of the independent body investigating council complaints, said the council had run smoothly while Rose was advising them.
“However, the mayor’s prolonged absence meant that key opportunities to address critical governance challenges and foster stronger leadership were missed,” she said.
“The mayor plays a vital role in setting the tone for council operations and supporting cohesion among councillors. Without that leadership, it has been difficult to fully capitalise on the adviser’s engagement and achieve the level of progress we had hoped for.”
A statement published on Tuesday morning on Mitchell’s Facebook page, which said it was from the mayor’s family, said she had undergone surgery recently and deserved a break from online commentary.
“We think it’s important to post a message about political opportunism and a lack of common decency shown by some in politics, and their supporters in the community,” the statement said.
The family’s statement said the comments from Blagoev received local and statewide coverage with a negative impact on the mayor.
“It’s very disappointing to see this pointed and unnecessary approach from a state government department,” they said.
The statement on the mayor’s page also took aim at the local paper, the Local Redland Bayside News, accusing it of offering increased coverage in return for advertising, as well as refusing to take down defamatory comments on its Facebook page.
“We received a legal letter in response, refusing to remove the comments, stating that people don’t take social media comments seriously and it doesn’t affect their views of Jos,” the family said.
The statement also said the paper had linked to a political Facebook page they described as a “hate page” which has called for Mitchell to resign.
“To those who have been involved in all of this, we hope that if your wife, mum, daughter or sister is ever ill, they aren’t subjected to this kind of onslaught and commentary,” the statement on Facebook said.
A local government department spokesperson said they stood by the remarks about the mayor, and would continue supporting the council.
“While some key outcomes could not be achieved during the adviser’s appointment due to the mayor’s absence, it is important that the mayor is provided the time and space to recover,” they said.
“Once the mayor returns, the department will engage with her to resume a focus on those priority areas.”
The paper and its ownership declined to comment when contacted by this masthead.
The administrator of the political Facebook page has also been contacted for comment.
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