Mayoral hopefuls call for culture fixes after claims of toxicity, bullying

Résumé détaillé

A cut to the number of representatives, appointment of an external auditor, or strict discipline in meetings? Here’s how candidates have suggested sorting out the beleaguered council’s issues.

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.

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