Mother of crash victim launches petition to sack drink-driving Queensland mayor
Separate petitions calling for the sacking of a Queensland mayor who admitted crashing her vehicle into a tree east of Brisbane after drinks at a work function have been signed by more than 6,300 people.
Redlands mayor, Karen Williams – a campaigner against drink-driving – conceded she had had “several glasses of wine” prior to the crash, which came hours after she met with families who had lost loved ones in accidents caused by drink-drivers.
Police are investigating the incident, however no charges have been laid.
The mayor continues to resist calls from constituents and state and federal politicians for her to resign.
Local mother Judy Lindsay, who was part of the meeting earlier that day and whose daughter Hayley was killed in a crash involving a drink-driver in 2009, has launched a petition on the Queensland parliament website calling for Williams’ dismissal.
More than 2,700 people had signed it by Wednesday morning.
“Queensland residents draw to the attention of the House that the people of Redlands have lost confidence in the Mayor,” the petition said.
“Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to call upon the Minister for Local Government to dismiss Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams.”
A second petition started on Change.org calling for the mayor to resign or be sacked has so far attracted more than 3,600 signatures.
Just weeks ago, Williams was appealing for signatures to a petition to increase the sentence given to a drunk and drug-affected driver who killed a couple on Australia Day 2021.
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Comment has been sought from Williams.
Redland council chief executive, Andrew Chesterman, said the councilowned vehicle involved in the Cleveland accident will be repaired.
“The mayor has advised that she will pay for damages to the vehicle if she is found to have been over the legal alcohol limit for driving,” he said in a statement.
The crash happened last Thursday, shortly after a gathering to thank staff following the handing down of the council’s annual budget.
Chesterman said the event was scheduled for one hour and approval was provided for three bottles of wine to be bought in line with Council’s entertainment and hospitality policy.
There was also a small amount of alcohol and soft drink already on hand.
Lindsay said the mayor then rang her in tears on Friday night to apologise.
“I just said I can’t have any contact with you any more. You can’t be doing the job you’re doing. I trusted you and this is what you’ve done,” Lindsay told Nine’s Today program on Monday.
Queensland’s opposition leader, David Crisafulli, said his Liberal National party colleague should face consequences for her actions.
The premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has refused to be drawn on the mayor’s future.