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2023 Councillor Conduct Register

Date of Complaint	Name of Councillor*	Summary of Complaint	Type of Alleged Conduct	Referred to for decision	Date of Decision	Decision	Reasons for Decision
10 March 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor has engaged in inappropriate conduct by providing false information about a resident to an external review agency.	Inappropriate conduct or misconduct	OIA	23 March 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The conduct does not appear to relate to the roles and responsibilities of a councillor, and therefore would not come under the OIA’s jurisdiction.
3 April 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor made a false and misleading statement on social media about councillor entitlements.	Inappropriate conduct or misconduct	OIA	19 April 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the complaint was considered to be vexatious.
16 May 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a Councillor engaged in inappropriate conduct by announcing in the media that they were taking long service leave and switching off the social media accounts.	Inappropriate conduct or misconduct	OIA	31 May 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009 as the complaint was considered to be vexatious.
17 May 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor had engaged in misconduct by not declaring a conflict of interest in particular matters before Council.	Misconduct	OIA	31 May 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. Enquiries did not identify any matter that had come before council for a decision that related to the particular entities nominated in the complaint.
20 June 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor engaged in inappropriate conduct when participating in a video conference discussion with external stakeholders and council officers about a new council facility.	Inappropriate conduct or misconduct	OIA	30 June 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. Enquiries were made with a direct witness who participated in the meeting and whilst the discussions were robust and emotive, they did not support the notion that the councillor’s conduct would be in breach of the Act.
22 June 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor engaged in inappropriate conduct at a community consultation to discuss planned improvements to a council facility.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	20 July 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct within the meaning of the Act. Enquiries were made with direct witnesses who were at the meeting and whilst the discussions were robust and became personal, they did not support the notion that the councillor’s conduct would be in breach of the Act.
02 February 2023 07 February 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DY(3)	It is alleged that a Councillor breached s150K(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 2009 by failing to comply with Council Policy.	Inappropriate conduct	Council	26 July 2023	That the Councillor has not engaged in inappropriate conduct.	At the Ordinary Meeting on 26 July 2023 Council resolved (60/2023) to adopt recommendations made at the City Governance Committee on 19 July 2023, this included that the Councillor has not engaged in inappropriate conduct.
28 August 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged that a councillor exceeded the speed limit on an area of a road where the speed limit was reduced for roadworks.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	15 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act), as the matter falls outside of the OIA’s jurisdiction under the Act.
13 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged that a councillor’s communications with a resident about road works have not come to fruition despite 10 years of requests.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	29 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) on the basis that the conduct does not amount to inappropriate conduct or misconduct as defined by the Act. Responsibility for dealing with individual works requests sits with the operational arm of council. The responsibility for Councillors is to apply strategic level considerations for the benefit of the whole of the local government area.
19 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor mislead and misrepresented information at an ordinary council meeting.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	28 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009. The Councillor’s conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. On the basis that the referred to data was quoted from official council systems and information provided by council operational staff.
6 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged that a councillor failed to respond to communication from a resident in their division for a period of twelve months and the resident did not receive any response from the councillor or council in relation to correspondence hand-delivered to the councillor’s office in the last three months.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	27 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 on the basis the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The OIA was provided information from council which showed there had been various interactions between the resident and council as well as a meeting with the councillor between March and September 2023.
29 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged that a member of the public was attending community events on behalf of a Councillor.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	29 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA decided to take no further action pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 [the Act] on the basis that the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. A member of the public attended community events but was not acting as a councillor during those events..
27 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor mislead the community in a video.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	27 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act (the Act). The conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct within the meaning of the Act. On the basis that the video was posted in February 2022 and no misleading information was said in the video.
28 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor failed to declare a conflict of interest in relation to a development application	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	28 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act (the Act) the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct within the meaning of the Act. This decision was made on the basis that there was insufficient connection between the councillor’s interest and the matter before council to raise a conflict of interest.
03 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged that a Councillor failed to declare an advertising gift paid for by a third party; and It is alleged that a councillor received a personal gain by receiving advertising from a third party after using their discretionary funding	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	03 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X (a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 as the conduct does not a raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The ’advertisement’ was an acknowledgement of the councillor’s involvement in a community activity placed by a community organisation under their usual procedures. The councillor was not a party to the decision to do so. The discretionary funding was provided in compliance with council policy and procedure.
27 September 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged that a councillor engaged in misconduct through the misuse of a Facebook page and private website; and It was alleged that a councillor engaged in inappropriate conduct by publicly misleading the community on a website.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	27 September 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(c)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 [the Act] as further dealing with the complaint would be an unjustifiable use of resources on the basis the use of the media platforms was not inconsistent with the Act or policy.
10 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor breached a council local law when conducting council related business; and, It is alleged a councillor breached a council local law when conducting council related business.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	10 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The OIA considered that both allegations related to a potential breach of a council local law which would be the jurisdiction of Council compliance officers to enforce. The information provided in the complaint did not contain sufficient particulars to evidence whether a breach in fact occurred or not.
11 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor had directed council staff to attend to a council related issue.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	11 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as I am satisfied that the complaint is vexatious. The OIA noted that, based on the issue being raised by a resident, the Councillor’s Office logged the issue with the operational arm of Council to address, which was appropriate, and did not amount to a direction within the meaning of the Act.
1 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor breached council policies by using social media to promote the council’s budget.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	24 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X (c)(ii) because further dealing with this complaint would be an unjustifiable use of resources. This was on the basis that the alleged video was already publicly published by council, and the conduct did not involve a council device.
11 October 2023	Councillor Teresa Lane	It was alleged a councillor breached the code of conduct for Queensland when posting on the councillor’s social media page about a council issue	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	25 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as I am satisfied that the complaint was vexatious. The complaint made broad assumptions and contained no substantive fact.
13 October 2023	Councillor Jon Raven	It was alleged a councillor inappropriately represented council to a business and community group.	Inappropriate conduct	OIA	25 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act (the Act) because the complaint is considered to be vexatious on the basis that the councillor’s actions were in line with the duties expected of an elected council member representing the community.
18 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor failed their duties as a councillor by not attending community events.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	25 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 [the Act]. The conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct on the basis that attending specific community events is a councillor choice and does not form part of their statutory responsibilities as a councillor, which require councillors to strategically act for the benefit of the whole of the local government area.
11 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor failed to update the Councillor’s Register of Interests.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	26 October 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct.
29 November 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor misled the public in relation to Council funding projects within their electorate.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	3 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct within the meaning of the Act. The website was a personal site designed for the councillor as a candidate for the 2024 local government elections. The comments of achievements were preceded by overarching statements about ‘advocating’ and ‘collaboration’, which would not lead to the subsequent list of achievements considered false or misleading.
29 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors ins Queensland, by misusing Council provided resources at a community event.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	03 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act (the Act) as the complaint was considered to be vexatious.
29 October 2023	Councillor Natalie Willcocks	It is alleged a councillor breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors ins Queensland, by misusing Council provided resources at a community event.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	03 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(i) of the Local Government Act (the Act) as the complaint was considered to be vexatious
17 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor used Council resources for re-election purposes.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	3 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(b)(iii) of the Local Government Act (the Act) as the complaint lacked substance or credibility. The complaint lacked sufficient detail to conduct investigations to identify if inappropriate conduct or misconduct had potentially occurred.
31 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland by not declaring an election related expense.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	9 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The OIA reviewed the complaint and did not consider the referenced expense as election related.
8 November 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It was alleged a councillor sent an email internally within Council that contained personal details of individuals.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	9 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(c)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 on the basis that further dealing with the matter would be an unjustifiable use of resources. The email was not sent outside Council’s email system and the conduct appeared to be inadvertent. The councillor has been provided caution to avoid this occurring in the future.
31 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor breached the Code of Conduct for Councillors in Queensland by not declaring an election related expense.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	8 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(a)(ii) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) as the conduct does not raise a reasonable suspicion of inappropriate conduct or misconduct. The OIA reviewed the complaint and found that the publication was personally funded by the councillor.
27 October 2023	Not included pursuant to s150DZ	It is alleged a councillor continued communicate with council officers relating to matters that had been raised as a conflict of interest.	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	10 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA decided to take no further action pursuant to section 150Y(b)(iii) of the Local Government Act 2009 [the Act] on the basis that taking further action would be an unjustifiable use of resources. The interactions in question do not reach the threshold of inappropriate conduct.
1 November 2023	Not included pursuant to s150D	It was alleged a councillor failed correctly complete their register of interests (ROI).	Inappropriate Conduct	OIA	10 November 2023	Dismissed	The OIA dismissed this matter pursuant to section 150X(c)(ii) of the Local Government Act. On the basis that further dealing with this complaint would be an unjustifiable use of resources. Correspondence with council revealed that the councillor’s ROI had not been uploaded correctly and has now been corrected.

* Only to be included if the local government or conduct tribunal decided that the Councillor engaged in inappropriate conduct or misconduct, or where the Councillor agrees to their name being included in the register (Section 150DY(3) Local Government Act 2009)

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