Just one month after the shock resignation of Huon Valley Council's mayor, two more councillors have quit, putting allegations of toxic work culture within Tasmania's local government sector back under the spotlight.
Key points:
- Two more Tasmanian councillors have called it quits as the local government sector grapples with an ongoing image problem
- Only one third of a southern Tasmanian council remains due to a spate of resignations
- One outgoing councillor said community concerns were being ignored and problems were just swept under the rug
Greens councillors Christine Campbell and Paul Gibson announced yesterday afternoon that they would be resigning effective immediately.
Last month, mayor Bec Enders quit after three and a half years in the role. She is yet to disclose the reason behind her decision.
Both outgoing councillors cited the recruitment process of the general manager, Jason Browne, as the reason why they had to leave, saying his recruitment process was "compromised and opaque".
Last year, Mr Browne was selected for the role of general manager, however, he had failed to disclose that he was in a relationship with the head of the recruitment agency that hired him.
Tasmania's auditor-general later found the council had inadequately managed the conflict of interest which resulted in a flawed process.
"I can no longer participate in processes that are morally and ethically flawed."
Ms Campbell — who was on the recruitment panel for the role of general manager — also said she was the victim of bullying from other council members after she continued to bring up the issue.
"I raised the seriousness of this conflict on numerous occasions with other panel members, but my concerns were dismissed," she said.
She also refused to back the support of Mr Browne, whose contract was voted to continue for five more years in a closed-door meeting last month.
"I was told to 'accept the decision of the panel'. I was bullied by another councillor when I continued pursuing the issue. This bullying has caused me a large amount of mental distress," she said.
Mr Gibson said it was untenable for him to remain on council when community concerns were being ignored and called on the state government to intervene.
"The majority of sitting councillors prefer to sweep the issues under the carpet and continue with business as usual and good news stories," he said.
"[It's] deeply disrespectful to our electors.
"The Director of Local Government really needs to step in and draw a line when there are things such as serious conflicts of interest and when there are instances of bullying. I think those two things require action."
Acting Mayor Sally Doyle said the resignations were unfortunate.
"Paul and Christine have stated they can no longer be there, so that was their decision," she said.
Ms Doyle said the people on the recruitment panel for Mr Browne had already "owned up to the fact that they didn't handle it correctly".
"We've gone through all the channels we had to go through, we have done the training that's required," she said.
Controversies 'damaging public faith in council'
Mr Gibson said the recent spate of resignations and allegations of bullying had tarnished the council's reputation.
"This conflicted appointment and the associated bad press is damaging public faith in council," he said.
"I made a commitment to the community that council dealings would be transparent and in the public interest.
This will leave the Huon Valley region without a third of its representatives for almost six months before October's council elections.
While the council will continue operating, any more resignations between now and the next government elections will likely force a recount.
Minister for Local Government and Planning Michael Ferguson said it was up to councillors to work together and resolve interpersonal issues.
"It is the responsibility of each democratically elected council to provide a safe working environment and to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place to deal with such matters," he said.
Gibson to run as mayor for the Greens
In December, the Tasmanian government announced a review into workplace culture in councils, prompted by a statement signed by 40 representatives expressing concern, particularly about the treatment of women.
The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) is currently developing a proposal that will look at how workplace culture across the local government sector can be improved.
LGAT president Christina Holmdahl previously said the review would identify standards for councillors to abide by, but would also look at protections for elected members against bullying and harassment.
Mr Gibson said he would not be leaving local politics just yet.
He intends to stand as mayor for the Greens in October's council election.
"My focus will be on fair and transparent governance and community cohesion," he said.
"I won't stay silent any longer."
Tasmania's toxic local council culture back under spotlight after two more Huon councillors call it quits - ABC News
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