A councillor has apologised for her comments which were deemed, by another councillor, to be ‘unfair’ and a ‘poor reflection on council’, following on from a confidential council discussion resulting in Logan City Council voting Councillor Lisa Bradley had engaged in social media misconduct.
During the ordinary council meeting on Wednesday, when Councillor Natalie Willcocks was moving the motions from the City Governance Committee meeting last week, Cr Bradley rose to speak when Cr Willcocks asked if ‘any councillors wished to redeclare or have a new conflict of interest’.
Cr Bradley declared a ‘considerable conflict of interest in relation to item 4.2 of the City Governance Committee’.
“I wish to speak my truth,” Cr Bradley said.
“I am a person who has self awareness, can own my own faults, however I unreservedly deny this accusation.”
Councillor Jon Raven then jumped in with a ‘point of order’.
“A declaration of a conflict of interest isn’t an opportunity to debate,” Cr Raven said.
After discussing the matter with the acting CEO, Mayor Darren Power granted Cr Bradley to continue, providing she ‘provide a reason’ for her conflict of interest.
“Last Monday, the 19th of April, I stated my intention was to remain in City Governance committee for clarity, questions, and to remove myself for debate and voting,” Cr Bradley continued.
“On Tuesday the 20th of April I was told to leave due to coughing in committee, thus I was not present on Wednesday 21s of April City Governance Committee. Therefore I was not afforded the same courtesy and treatment as another councillor prior to a public recommendation for 4.2 supporting my public statements made in December last year and numerous times thereafter.”
Notably, Cr Bradley was the only councillor to vote against Councillor Tony Hall being cleared of his misconduct allegations during Wednesday’s Council meeting.
It was also later revealed by Cr Raven, that Cr Bradley actually did have the opportunity to attend the meeting online, which is what Councillor Mindy Russell did when she was preparing for a medical surgery and too unwell to attend in person.
“Natural justice has not been provided,” Cr Bradley continued.
Cr Raven once again called for a ‘point of order’.
“She’s making an argument. She’s not explaining why she has a conflict,” Cr Raven said.
Mayor Power agreed with Cr Raven, and said Cr Bradley could not use this opportunity to try and persuade the argument.
Cr Bradley then left the meeting.
Cr Raven then took his chance to respond to Cr Bradley’s comments, which he said were ‘unfair’ and ‘reflected poorly on council’.
“The comments which Cr Bradley made unfair and reflect poorly on this council,” Cr Raven said.
“She was afforded every opportunity to attend that meeting via teams (online). Another councillor who was preparing for surgery managed to attend via teams.
“So having a cough does not prevent someone from telecasting into the confidential matters of the committee…the technology is there to support councillors and I feel it’s unfair to say and untrue to say that Cr Bradley wasn’t afforded the same opportunities.
“She chose not to take up those same opportunities….and she’s making untrue accusations about her colleagues.”
Mayor Power said he would be asking Cr Bradley for an apology for her comments.
The motion that Cr Bradley engaged in misconduct on social media (which is confidential and therefore what happened is unknown) was voted by council. Cr Heremaia voted against, Mayor Power abstained, Cr Stemp abstained, and Cr Willcocks abstained.
Cr Lane said she believed the matter had been handled fairly by all of the councillors, and that all of the facts presented were thoroughly analysed. She said the decision was made in good faith by all councillors and was ‘fair’ and ‘equitable’.
Once Cr Bradley returned to the meeting, Mayor Power addressed her and the remainder of Council.
“There was a report of a minor unsuitable meeting conduct…you’ve got an opportunity to apologise,” Mayor Power said.
Cr Bradley apologised for her earlier comments, which were deemed unsuitable meeting conduct by Mayor Power and ‘untrue and unfair’ by Cr Raven.
Cr Bradley tried to continue, but was told by Mayor Power ‘no I think that’s the end of the matter’.
Cr Bradley has been contacted for comment.
Logan City Council Media was also contacted and asked if there was anymore information that could be made public, specifically how Cr Bradley will be reprimanded by Council. A Logan City Council Media spokesman said:
“Council voted to reprimand Division 1 Councillor Lisa Bradley for engaging in inappropriate conduct on social media contrary to section 150K(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2009,” he said.
“The matter was discussed confidentially in compliance with sections 171 and 200 of the Local Government Act 2009.
“Learn more about Council’s meetings here.”
However the link Logan City Council sent does not work, as the page cannot be found.
You can read an earlier version of this story here.
