PAUSE FOR THOUGHT AT MISCONDUCT
THE two adverse findings by the council watchdog body against Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate for misconduct should give him pause. He is in the middle of a third term as the city leader – and by all accounts, readying himself for a fourth one.
His longevity as a politician is to be commended, even if a fourth term does not happen. Just ask Scott Morrison and Annastacia Palaszczuk how tough a third term as leader can be.
But like all those who are long-serving and publicly elected, eventually questions of judgment will inevitably be asked. The Councillor Complaints Tribunal findings released in the past 24 hours make unflattering reading for Mayor Tate, who is yet to respond other than to indicate he will seek a review. But as it stands, he is found to have breached standards of appropriate conduct by 1) interfering in thenCEO Dale Dick’s disciplinary process involving Cr Tate’s then-chief of staff Wayne Moran and 2) by failing to declare a conflict of interest relating to that matter at a later council meeting.
The tribunal report categorised it thus: “By exercising his power to issue directions to the CEO in the way he did evokes the popular phrase of ‘sweeping things under the rug’.”
It is a blow to the Mayor’s reputation notwithstanding he will seek a review of the tribunal findings. The findings come at a pivotal time and after a period of multiple scraps for the Mayor plus the controversial appointment of Pastor Sue Baynes – who espouses evangelical Christian views in following the Seven Mountain Mandate philosophy – to a position within council.
The role has raised eyebrows in the city. She has previously referred to herself as the Mayor’s spiritual adviser and he has appointed her to a council adviser role with a space turned into a prayer room at the same time.
He has responded to questions about her appointment and his own views by saying: “My personal views are just that – personal. What is important is that I make decisions on what is best for the majority of residents and I have done that for the past decade. That will never change.”
He battled verbally with Federal MP Karen Andrews in the run up to the election over priorities and is a glaring omission from the 2032 Olympics planning committee at this stage. Meanwhile, Brisbane and some of its mates scored a $1.8bn city deal for instructure which the Gold Coast won’t see a cent of.
Such exclusions raise questions about the judgment call of the Gold Coast to stay out of the South-east Queensland Council of Mayors.
There is no doubt Mr Tate is a popular mayor whose passion for the city and drive to get things done has borne plenty of fruit and can’t be questioned. But controversies are mounting and time for self-reflection on the impact of some positions is at a critical stage.